Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Hola, hello, terekest (if „tere” means hello in my language, „terekest” is like, howdy!)
I just watched a video of a pastor that set up drop boxes in Seoul and wondered if there was already a movie or a drama about him and the orphans he takes care of? Search „Pastor lee, drop box, Korea” if you like. If there aint a movie, they should make one. But I am not sure how korean people would feel about a drama, say,that displays abaondoned, „special” children like the many Down syndrome kids Pastor Lee has.
Anyway, it seems like it is not just a dramatic effect in dramas, oh I grew in an orphanage, but there are thousands of children who are abandoned and it is a big issue. But usually the heroes and heroines who have the „orphanage background” are impeccably smart, gorgeous, talented and whatnot, but almost never have „imperfections”. So how come they became abaondoned? It usually ends up with a very confusing, complicated explanation or no explanation.
So I was also thinking how many real life issues have dramas actually touched. How much „reality” is in the fictional reality? Are there more things like the orphaned children, or are you not allowed to mention all of that... not talking about happened-in real-life- serial-killers, but social issues specific to South Korea.
One is probably student suicides ... or attempts.
Don´t know.
Anyway,
Watching: not much. I kinda had some troubles with my eyes and blood pressure. I think I need a monitor. I only have a laptop but it is not good for the eyes or the blood circulation. Especially when I am writing, it is such a stiff position. What do you watch from? PC, Mac, monitor, TV? How do you preserve your eyes when you work on the computer?
Still watched some Man From Another Star, wow, a very one-on-one reference to Superman. and now E. T. I really see too little of these references and alliterations to pop culture in kdramass. I wonder if my dream casting for Superman had any magic influence.... for now I like it, and Lawyer Jang too. Ahh that „oh I am just a bystander, never mind me (but I know EEEEVERYTHING about you”) attitude is just so awesome. I have been in his position, it is amusing to tease these couples. Haha.
I am looking for something very funny. Can you recommend one that is funny all the way and doesnt turn into a melo?
There is no punishment. That's what makes it "safe." You can drop off a baby and NOT get in trouble. Otherwise, a desperate someone might try to "hide" the baby's existence. And I cried too watching the video.
What makes me wonder even more is that the children that are born (in hospitals, I presume) but nbobody asks about their wherebouts. I don't know about the identification system in Korea, but neighbouring ajummas? I would think they know best...
I don't understand what you mean by abandon... Do you simply mean leaving babies in dumpsters or do you also include those instances whereby they are placed in those baby drop-boxes or outside orphanages?
Because in my country, leaving a baby in a dumpster or anywhere else alone (As in the parent(s) don't intend to return IS a crime but leaving them with orphanages or other able care-givers is not.
Yeah i do mean in any form. someone should at least ask why. but when it is anonymous, I see it as cowardly. well. if they leave them in good care or not, they should say why. they should discuss with someone, not do it anonymously
This policy is the same in the US as well. You can leave your baby at any designated "safe" place with no questions asked. It's actually to try to prevent babies from being thrown into actual garbage cans.
This policy has probably saved thousands upon thousands of lives. It may not be something that you can understand or even I can understand, but it is about giving those babies a chance to at least survive.
But then again, there are many cowards in this world and if you don't give them an out, they might do the more cowardly thing and of instead talking to someone and leaving the child in responsible hands, they might just abandon him to the elements. Like... just put there and walk away, because they can't handle the judgement or their parents finding out or whatever-it-is-i-don't-know and would rather risk becoming a criminal.
Sometimes, what the parents are as human beings is less important than the welfare of the child. Necessary evil?
I've heard of the'baby box' and the doc about it - though what I've heard is that it's completely misleading and is an inaccurate portrayal of Pastor Lee, who doesn't support no-strings abandonment of children at all.
This came from the blog of a Korean adoptee who knows him personally, and is vociferous on the point that having a box to leave babies in with no official records and nothing, is dangerous - it doesn't account for the possibility that babies might be stolen and left in the box by people who aren't their parents and will basically result in the children losing everything if the adoption agencies don't even know the identity of the people who dropped them off.
This is a post by someone who wrote in response to the documentary. The entire post can be read at the foremost leading magazine that speaks for a very considerable portion of the Korean adoptee community and shed some much needed light on this seriously misleading film. The Korean adoptee community, which is a 220,000 strong community represented worldwide across 16 nations are the now adult (spanning 60 years of int'l adoption) voices objecting this misrepresentation of what leads to more of the same but with even lesser fights to these children than what we grew up with.
QUOTE
Dear makers of The Drop Box,
Perhaps you should change the name of your documentary to The GARBAGE Man, as, even in your three-minute trailer, Korean "orphans" are depicted as unwanted pieces of trash who are only alive because of the benevolence of stranger/savior whose belief in God compels him to care for these unfortunate discardees.
Now, before everyone starts talking about intentions – I know, intellectually, that the film makers probably did not intend to imply or implicitly state that the children in their film are unwanted (read unloved) or are, in any way like, like trash. However, as an adoptee, it's been a while since a movie trailer has made me feel like such a worthless piece of shit. Boy, do I feel grateful that my Korean mom decided to drop me in a box instead of kill me with poison. Good thing the kind pastor has decided to do something about the huge problem, i.e., kids so shitty that their own mothers don’t want them.
Seriously, without addressing or even mentioning the root causes of why the drop box is being utilized or why women in a highly developed nation are compelled to abandon their children in the street, what message does this film trailer send ANY adoptee who sees it?
Towards the end of the trailer, a man asks who will speak for these children. I volunteer and I say – STOP talking about us like our mothers did not want or love us. Unless you have a signed affidavit that clearly states she absolutely did not want to raise us and has no love in her heart for us, you have no right to assume these things about her or us, and tell the entire world that that is the truth about us and our mothers.
UNQUOTE
Hi redfox! I was reading about Pastor Lee on Huffpost or somewhere...such a simple, but humane idea. I guess you can't stop people abandoning their babies, but at least those babies have a real fighting chance when they can actually be found.
Sorry to hear you're not feeling too good! I think the only solution for computer-related strain for me has always been 'step away from the machine' and 'go outside' and 'walk'. Bodies aren't designed for such a sedentary life. I watch things via my laptop mostly, but I like to mix it up by sometimes working out on my exercise bike while I watch, too!
I don't have a lot of ideas for very funny dramas that ONLY are funny -- they all have a breath of melo and angst thrown in somewhere! Hong sisters' dramas are good for laughs, but they do have a serious element -- funniest for me have been Best Love, My Girl and You're Beautiful. And you can't go wrong with classics like Dal Ja's Spring and My Name is Kim Sam Soon. And contrary to popular opinion, I found Heirs one of the hilariousest, laugh-out-loud funniest shows in the past year.
yeah I have been walking, even though it is raining heavily here, all the time.
watched all of the ones you mentioned, but YAB is always great for laughs.
I second that recommendation. Evasive Inquiry Agency (aka Mixed Up Detective Agency) is my all time favorite drama. It is funny but has some very poignant moments as well. All the characters are well fleshed out and the actors are great. I'm a huge Lee Min-ki fan - could watch him drink coffee all day - but I would love this drama even if he weren't in it. It's by the same writer as White Christmas, btw.
I recently watched and enjoyed White Christmas like you did. I have a few questions for you or others that have seen White Christmas.
SPOILERS**
What conclusion did you reach regarding the character Yoon-Soo? In your opinion, what was the actual truth about Yoon-Soo and his “Mother” memory/issue?
- If Yoon-Soo was happiest in life when his mother would make him pancakes…
- Yoon-Soo’s current Mom tells him that she fired the maid/caretaker because as a child he thought the maid/caretaker was his mom which as a parent hurt the current Mom…
a) Did the parents swap/switch children?
b) Was Yoon-Soo actually the maid/caretaker’s son and therefore, he was adopted by his current parents?
c) Yoo-Soo said, “Because she hugged you instead of me. I must’ve wanted to be you.” Yoon –Soo admits that he lied. Did he lie about the maid/caretaker kidnapping him or that the maid/caretaker was his mother?
d) Was the child with the blue birthmark on his face (“The Monster in the Corner”) actually the child of his “parents” or the child of the maid/caretaker?
e) For Yoon-Soo, did his problems boil down to denial/avoidance of dealing with a false image of his parents and coming to terms with the illusion of the maid/caretaker as a mother figure for him?
f) Are we to take away that Yoon-Soo actually felt like he was “The Monster in the Corner” once the truth came to the forefront... (1) for lying about the maid/caretaker kidnapping him, (2) only having memories of the maid/caretaker as his mother, and (3) not really having any good memories with his mom?
I think the maid did kidnap him but when the police came she ran to her own child ignoring Yoon Soo which created both his desire to be the other kid and his hatred of him. Because of his drug use, isolation growing and other factors in Yoon Soo's mind the boy with the blue birthmark became the Monster In The Corner.
No I don't think the kids were swapped the birthmark is too distinctive.
Hi August! Sorry, busy weekend keeps me from coming back to OT (sigh).
WHITE CHRISTMAS SPOILERS
To be honest, I wasn't 100% of what exactly happened with Yoon Su, but I wonder if that ambiguity is part of it. I read every single comment of the last ep recap trying to get a handle on it, but all everyone else had was speculation as well - that perhaps he wasn't kidnapped at all, but went along to that ahjumma's house missing her, and afterwards, when he was found by the police, little and frightened, he had lied.
I would say the parents didn't switch kids, there's no evidence of that, but at one point, Yoon Su must have thought his nanny was his mother. The birthmarked child was his nanny's real son.
I also can't say for sure what Yoon Su's 'monster' was for or about. I think it's the realisation that he'd built his subsequent life on the lies he'd told as a child -- and which he came to believe as real. Which you wonder if it was just so he could live with himself, live with the rejection from the nanny whom he felt was more his mother, and also that he certainly had psychological issues which may have caused him to have heightened responses to things other people handle (more) easily, i.e. his exile to and confinement in the school, his reaction to how his peers treat him, and so on. Maybe he's always felt like an outsider, but not in a normal, manageable way, but a really extreme, unbearable way - a nail that sticks out no matter what. And he didn't want to be that, so he took his way out.
In conclusion: I really don't know. But I think that's the point.
@ Redfox -- check your display settings. You can probably set them to be dimmer or brighter, which will help your eyes. Especially at night, I have to dim the display (I'm usually watching on my NOOK by that time).
They have drop boxes for babies in some European countries. Definitely in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where they are known as 'Babyklappe'. I think they've been around for more than a decade (in modern times). Other European countries have them as well.
I wonder how a woman explains going from 9 months pregnant to not and with no child to show for it. My colleague is about 7 months pregnant and there's no missing her.
Estonia doesn´t have them cause we are a small nation and can´t afford throwing anybody away, for one, and also cause the local governments in cities have social workers to keep an eye on problem families. but many children grow in poverty atm and honestly spoken, they would be better off in foster care until the parents find a job. but there have never been abandonment cases. negligence, yes - when the mom s a drug - or internet - addict. usually, children with disabilities receive even more love and care, they have a village called Maarja küla - search and see what they do.
anyway, I guess in bigger countries it is more visible, or european countries with lots of immigrants or something... but really couldnt say
It's anonymous and in some countries the mother has a month to change her mind (no idea how that works). In some instances it will save babies that desperate mothers might otherwise kill. There are probably no statistics but I would think it would mostly be used by very young women or those who are/were in extremely difficult situations (domestic violence, rape etc.). From what I've heard, it doesn't get used much at all, a couple of times a year. I would rather this option exist than read about another baby flushed down the toilet (China) or found in the garbage.
Anyhow, don't mean to go too much off topic, so I'll leave it at that...
Yeah, I also think it's a really good system. Cause let's be honest, if someone doesn't want a baby, they'll find a way to "get rid" of it.
And I can imagine that it must be hard for someone to know that they were more or less thrown away, but I'd say that's still a lot better than being dead.
And I also honestly don't think that it's always the best thing for children to stay with their birth parents. Just look at all the children being starved or beaten to death and so on...
I'm also curious to know how much kdrama's touch real life issues. I know a few touched the subject suicide but they're usually saved. (At least the ones I've seen.) I know the movie The Crucible is based on real life events, but are there also drama's? Or other movies?
I usually watch shows on tv or a monitor (which is connected to my mac. I don't like watching from my mac's screen it's too small. I need to see Kim Soo Hyun on a big screen while watching Man from Another Star. ;-)
I guess the only tip I can give you is to take breaks when working on the computer, like going outside for a walk or cycling.
I just suddenly remembered what I dreamed about last night. That I was at some kind of meeting/conference, and met gummimochi and kaedejun, who were hosting. And then we became friends and were on a train (like the one in Harry Potter) going somewhere (Hogwarts? Who knows). I don't remember what happened after that. But I lol'ed to death just now remembering it.
In preparation for I Need Romance, and waiting for new eps of airing shows, I started Prosecutor Princess. And gaaaahhhhh Hye-ri! I'm 2 eps in, but right now, I really, really dislike her. I know I'm meant to, and I know the point is probably that she becomes conscientious and unshallow but GAAHHHH my blood pressure.
And now I am just waiting for the next podcast. When is the next podcast? I want new podcaaaaaassssttttt
I'm on ep 13 and I still dislike Hye-ri, I mean, dislike is too little, she is probably the most annoying female lead EVER for me. It doesn't help that I hated PP story altogether too of course, but I'll finish, I'm not dropping it on 13 I will finish! After BOF's JanDi it's really amazing that there could a more irritating role but she really took the cake.
The actress didn't annoy me in Two Weeks but she did it again in the INR trailer so maybe I just can't stand her aegyo, makes me want to slap her, it's so phony. Maybe because she has such a mature face? Maybe it's the fake voice? I just can't, lucky I don't care about anyone else in the INR cast so I won't even give it a chance.
Yeah, I watched her in Two Weeks and was sold on her - I LOVED her as Jae-kyung, and I thought it was a fun bit of meta that she'd played a totally different kind of prosecutor before.
But gaaah Lixie, you don't give me hope! I'll probably keep watching, too -_- At the moment, the thing that gets me the MOST about her character is her use of sophistry to justify herself. Nothing she says is exactly wrong when you go by the letter, but it misses the whole point. I had no sympathy for her in her ep-2 humiliation, she deserves all of it, I just want her to REALISE she's a waste of space nitwit. Why won't they just sack her? How did she even qualify? fdslk dfgkdfjlghasdkl
Do you know I think I pitied her a little in the beginning? I went the opposite way of everyone else and in the first eps I had some respect for that nitwit because at least she stood her ground. Later when she is supposed to become a better person, she just got infuriating for me, stalking a guy and complaining and still being way too annoying. Don't drop it though, stick to it untill midway and then decide if it's worth your time. Let me know in future OTs! :)
Hi Saya how are you?
Your dream sounds better than mine!
Also thank you again for the link for white christmas! I ended up getting told to forget about fixing t myself (from my sister) and got her to download and fix things for me instead. Which has lead to my sister actually watching to show. Which I found out when she sendt me a tex saying "Thanks unni (well, north norwegian equivalent) now I can't sleep" she seems to enjoy it though :p
Ha! Isn't it great to get someone else hooked to things you like? Are you sorted out now? If not, let me know and I'll see if I can help.
I didn't know Norwegian had an equivalent to unni - what is it? I don't think I've come across a European language that does that, only South and East Asian ones. Very interesting! (Or maybe I just don't remember my languages?)
It's awesome! Yeah she should have it all sorted out for me. She apparently had all the needed programs and stuff so let her deal with it :p
It's not a thing in all of Norway, but in the north and around the area where I am from we use "Dadda" towards the oldest sister in the family. So it's sorta like "unni", but not quite the same. For a boy we simply use the word for brother;"bror".
I've only ever heard this done in the north though, so its more of a dialect thing rather than a national language thing.
With Prosecutor Princess, the heroine is really annoying at first and just about when I was ready to give up, things turned around and I LOVED the drama. It think it is the end of ep 4.
I hated her so much at the beginning that it completely ruined the first episodes of the drama for me...I only kept on going with prosecutor princess because people had told me it was SO good you wouldn't be able to stop, so I was like ''is there something wrong with me? why don't I like it?'' hahaha but then I got to ep 5, I think, and phew! it got so, so, so much better!!
Pretty Man: I…have no words for that finale…I’ll leave it short or else this will develop in one hell of a rant :P
I loved IU, my heart broke for Choi David (and no that last minute glamping chick didn’t satisfy me at all!) and Na Hong Ran…did not deserve the redemption (at least not like this). And you know what saddens me most? That we get this awesome kiss in YFAS in episode 8 and this half assed lips pressed together at the end of this drama -.- WHAT THE HELL???
Prime Minister and I: The feels! This drama gives me so much of them =) I love the OTP and little MS is a hoot xD One thing I’d love to shout at JK though is: GET OVER IT! It’s been years since your sister died and Yul deserves some happiness again!
YFAS: I still haven’t recovered from the awesomeness that was the ending of episode 8! I can’t get enough of this drama! Wednesday needs to come soon!!!
Variety:
Running Man: I’m a bit torn with this episode to be honest. I laughed a lot because the ‘couples’ that were shown had great chemistry and a lot of fun (I would totally start shipping Ji Hyo and Dong Wook!) but then there’s the problem with the screen time for Haha/Sunggyu and Kwangsoo/John Park. Though I have hope that those two couples will get their time to shine in the second part of the New Year special!
CKOTB: Aww the backstage footage of the KBS Awards gave me the warm fuzzies! And YAY some Jae Suk - Hodong interaction and LOL at Kwon Ryul being there as well :D I am so happy that Hye Jung is actually helpful and not only the pretty lady that needs to be there in a world full of men. And how adorable were Hyuk, SJ and JJ cheering for her when she scored the 3 points?!
Gah how I hate goodbyes on this show… It’s amazing how interchangeable (and I don’t mean that in a bad way) the cast is and yet how I easily you get attached to them that even if it’s for just a few episodes it hurts to see a member leave!
Superman Returns: HAH… note to myself: Whenever I have kids in the future > NEVER go to a Disney store with them always go alone to buy them stuff otherwise you end up nearly broke :P Though I loved how Sarang was just putting stuff into the basket^^
And I can’t get over the fact that Tablo is a huge scaredy cat when Haru is totally cool whenever she meets animals xD It’s adorable!
The backstage footage of Happy Together was great as well and I love how HJ is all “You get to sleep at night” to all the other dads :D
1N2D: Who knew that the shaving of a beard can be that funny^^ I don’t know what was better – Defconn + the barber’s interaction or JY and TH cracking up :D JY is going to kill me with his 4D-ness but I love it^^ The lunch mission…JY feeding the musicians was hilarious^^
I kept Fast-forwarding through Beautiful Man. And I so did not get that we were to like Mr older dying chaebol. That guy with the many children and the irresponsible behavior was always pictured as a kind of noble saint who ...like all rich noble guys married to vicious women..simply should be excused for his little peccadillos. So frustrating to watch his scenes.
And yes, the "still a mother no matter how bad she seems" trope: I wanted to scream.
Oh.....did Ma Te discover his relationship to David?
And I never felt that way about him at all. There was never a mention of what went on with his oldest son's mother, but presumably he was married to her at some point. Then he began a relationship with Choi David's mother that produced David, and he was with them until David was at least 7 or so? At which point he meets Na Hong Ran and falls so in love with her pregnant, abandoned self that he throws away his EXISTING family to 'protect' her and gives her child to a woman who loved him one-sidedly for years.
Setting aside that I have never understood the logic of a man who would leave his family so that he could start a NEW family...
This was not a good person. He might very well have had a pleasant personality and been interesting to listen to or whatever and he was clearly devoted to the nearly-psychotic Hong Ran, but he was a fuck up of the most royal order.
And yes, if bitterness is apparent in my email: when I was 10 and my brothers were 9 and 2, my father left my mother and began a new life with a woman who had one daughter. Although he drifted away from us over the course of a couple years, he remained a devoted father to that girl and eventually a devoted grandfather to her daughters, although he never quite made the effort with his three original children OR the daughter he made with yet another woman somewhere along the way.
He died sad and mostly alone at an early age, my father, just a couple of years ago. I loved him and I was there with him because no one should go through their last years alone, but none of his other children would have anything to do with him and it caused him great pain. I thought I was over it, but I guess this drama opened up some not-quite-healed wounds.
For what it's worth, he regretted his life deeply. Watching him was the saddest thing I have ever known.
@JoAnne -- Thanks for putting into words what flabberghasted me about that drama. My father left our family too and posts on FB about his new family and their children and yet has little contact with his original family. Good for you for being with him when he died. Big hugs.
oh good! Someone else who found him annoying. It just seemed to me that the director actually "liked" the character and "understood/easily forgave him." I felt this weird disconnect with the PD because of that.
That father was the worst. Did he not realize that he did wrong to so many people? He was just as bad as the mother, if not worst.
While I do believe that forgiveness is possible, I hate when k-dramas force it upon us. The elders must be forgiven, even if they do not realize their wrongs or truly apologize for them. I felt sad when Ma Tae apologized to his mother for having been born. I know that his mother had a lot of emotional baggage and hurt but--God--was she wicked!
@Peridot,
that forgiveness thing did seem forced, didn't it? I mean..I'll accept that stories want to preach but wow! And the selective guiltiness. Seriously! Aren't two people guilty? Then why was the dad allowed to get off so easily? And the "she's crying so there should be forgiveness" bit just upset me. I dunno,maybe I'm just not as forgiving as I should be but the "apologize to the cruel elder first" trope is just forced down kids' throats in so many cultures that even though he was "honoring" his mother I wanted to scream.
Joanne, my father was one of those as well. Still alive, still treating the other daughters with love yet disowned us. And had his last child -- that we know of-- when he was 69. This is one of the reasons why I can't watch stories with adultery (although I'm making it through Wang Family.)
The entire thing with my father has made me so screwed up about men and the abuse they inflict on women that I can get into a real rage when movies even try to validate adultery...or relationships between older men and younger women.
It's amazing and sad the damage that parents can do to their children. I was so blessed to live in a two parent household with parents who were by no means perfect, but always did their best.
My husband and I are trying very hard to do the same for our two children. My dad always said, and I believe it completely, that the best thing a father can do for his children is to show them how much he loves their mother. I think the same applies to mothers. The fact is that our kids learn what a marriage and relationship is from watching us. We should do our very best to show them something beautiful and true. Because sadly if they see something else, that baggage doesn't seem to ever go away. :(
@JoAnne, no need to apologize. And I agree with your feelings toward the character of the father. He was a terrible person, despite his calm demeanor and smiling face. He never once apologized to the people he hurt.
@Carole, I'm sorry that you had to go through the things you did in your life. But I am happy, at least, that you found a man whom you love and who loves you in return. I was fortunate to have been raised by two loving parents. I mean my family is not perfect, but my father has always gone the extra mile for his loved ones and he puts family first. He respects women. In his late teens he had to take care of his mother who was dying of cancer and was the main financial support to his father and younger brother. My mother made a good choice for a husband. Her sisters, unfortunately, have not been so lucky. In my family's history, there has also been a great deal of abuse, both of a sexual and economic nature. They were taken advantage by privileged individuals, who used their wealth to get what they wanted. Despite this, I am glad that I grew up in a strong nuclear household. As I wrote above, we're not perfect. But my dad loves all of his children. I truly feel sorry for the women and the children in this world who suffer so much at the hands of the more powerful.
I, too, can't really stand to watch dramas that have adultery/cheating as a theme. Those that especially validate/excuse it are on my never-to-watch-this-sh*t list and gets me in a rage too :/
That's why I'll never watch dramas like currently-on Warm Words (although I've read good feedback on here).
King's Family, as well as its writer's KBS weekender predecessor Three Brothers, had similar "affairs of the mind." I actually stuck through with TB because of its other story lines though. But yeah, that's one of the factors that turned me off enough to drop it a few weeks back (might tune in to see how it ends though).
@carole and @joanne,
I'm so sorry to hear about what you both went through...and you don't need to apologize.
JoAnne. I had the same reaction to the Hong Ran/Dad storyline of Pretty Man. So the son has to apologize to his mother for being born? Pardon me while I puke. David was the sane one for disowning the MG group and finding his own bliss.
That I didn't so much mind...the apology was not so much accepting 'fault' as it was acknowledging that his birth and existence are very painful reminders of a deep and wounding betrayal by the two people she had trusted and loved the most.
He can't help that, it isn't something he DID..but his existence is painful for her (and I'm not even gonna go THERE because what kind of mother...) and acknowledging her hurt helped 'heal' that a little bit. Also, helped him see her as a person dealing with her own issues, not just a dragon lady.
I am a huge fan of forgiveness wherever possible, mostly for the sake of the forgiver's happiness. If Ma Te could acknowledge her hurt and that, however unfairly, seeing him was painful for her - it could help him move past his own pain.
Agree with you there JoAnne. I think i will find these characters memorable. I usually have short memory, but i think the struggle of Ma Te and Bo Tong were honest and real for me. Turning out to be beautiful inside is so much better than 'successful and rich'-- society's yardstick.Though, they did turn out like that with hard work. So, all's well.
Amazing how some dramas indeed touch a chord in us. I rewatched Reply 1997 and as with the recently concluded 1994, it did occur to me several times that things that happened were not just a product of the writer's imagination but occurred in real life, either of their friends or themselves as well. I can't pinpoint specific instances, usually on the hilarious events, again short memory, but sometimes really you can say it can only be really true. I wonder though if the Tony Ahn (he's a current politician right?) story has some truth to it.
interesting discussion... Yes, Fast-forwarding is the key and Carole you nailed it! I have been fast-forwarding to get through all the unnecessary annoying side characters as well. IU has surprised me as an actress, her crying on the final episode was very moving. I hope to see her more in future dramas. Yes, I was sad for David, but the ending is expected. Not very impressed with JGS' role and I have seen his better acting somewhere else. Not sure if I will watch another JGS drama because I'd rather return to watch Beethoven Virus instead.
I'm seriously loving Miss Korea more and more every week. I was literally on the edge of my seat when they were announcing the winners and although I was so completely devo that Ji Young didn't win, a part of me was also glad that the show didn't just take the conventional path (not that it ever has anyway). I imagine that the first place winner will probably forfeit/get kicked out of some sort since she was cheating (?) I'm not exactly sure what she was drinking. Can anyone clarify? Btw I'm totally in love with the soundtrack as well and the last two songs that were playing at the end was just pure bliss - hey wait tonight, look at the light~
That scene was done really well. Especially Lee Yeon Hee when she was still trying to smile while crying. I loved watching everyone's reaction to it as well.
Both New World and Street of Angels are just love!
Same here! Ahh can't wait for next week! I kept telling Ma Wonjang to do something, anything, lol.
You know I tried looking up that drink thing. It's yut-gireum, which is apparently a malt drink that helps mothers produce breast milk, so I think that means she was using it to make her boobs bigger. I'm not totally sure if that's correct though, and I still don't know why that would be such a big deal when things like breast augmentation plastic surgery are okay. I'm pretty confused too and I was hoping someone here could explain for me too haha.
This is kinda superficial but I thought it made no sense that the drink girl would get Miss Seoul 1st place with her looks lol... she's like way shorter than all the other girls and her face isn't that pretty imo.
I think you can't compete if you've had a kid or been pregnant, and if she was using it for the actual use of the product, then she would be disqualified.
I heard malt drink is used to stop nursing breasts from producing milk. If this means that she has a baby then she would be disqualified. Either way, we know Ji Young would somehow advance, but if that first place winner goes, Cherry salon won't have any candidate.
Wait, now I am confused. Maybe it's used to help in breastmilk production, not in stopping it. In any case, all signs point to her having just had a baby, although she is one lucky woman to have that figure so soon after having given birth.
It's got to be for stopping milk. They don't have issues with plastic surgery or pads, so drinking something to make your breasts bigger can't be the problem.
So glad that dreaded polar vortex is leaving NY...kinda.
Okay: dramas
Gosh that Inspiring Generation trailer is getting me all excited! Just saying.
Saw the ending of Beautiful Man: Meh, meh, didn't care.
Miss Korea: It's dipping deeper and deeper into the dark side. Not sure if I'll go there with them.
You From Another Star: Beginning to dread that even if this ends happily, it'll end sadly. Wondering also who else might have reincarnated along with Song-Yi. I always feel reincarnations should go in groups..kinda like with Gu Family Book. Still, there are echoes of Song Yi's old Joseon life in her new life and I like that. Undependable mom in both lives, ill-founded rumors in both lives, a murderous in-law in both lives. And of course a rescuer and a possible fiance in both lives. This is really one tight drama. And the epilogs are just so wonderfully cinematic. So far...it's just perfection.
Let's Eat: Still haven't seen this week's episode. But loving it a lot.
Wang Family: I am so interested in the romances in Sedal's family: Mom's, Son's, Daughter's. I just want Subak to get divorced and Minjoong to marry Aunt. The writers have made sure no one in viewerland could see their relationship as adultery. Just so want Not-Mom outta the picture and Minjoong to find out he is Miho's Dad.
Prime Minister: Am liking it but am totally riveted to Chief of Staff's character. I swear! YSY steals every scene he's in and pretty much steals the drama. Oh my gosh, he is such a star now in my eyes!
Loving Cool Kiz and Happy Together, also Love & Marriage 2 and the drama specials on KBS World TV on youtube.
I am loving Let's Eat as well, although I don't think my waistline is going to. After each episode, I end up going on a a cooking binge. After episode 6, I made pizza dough, marinara sauce, lamb stock, and baked potato soup with pulled pork. I have no idea what episode seven is going to drive me to do! Perhaps I should try to eat something first.
Oh good heavens! I'm just falling more into Korean cuisine. Am gonna make Baek-kimchi sometimes next week. Not something I saw on the show but it's a beginning.
Ha I know what you mean :-)
Though I always make sure I've eaten before watching let's eat. If I'm already full at least I can resist the temptation to cook/eat something a bit better.
But thanks to the show I'm cooking more asian/Korean dishes. ^^
I pigged out on instant noodles a couple of times while watching Let's Eat, and now my brain associates it with them. Every time I sit down to watch an ep now I'm like why do I suddenly want noodles? Whoops.
Clams, oh the clams. They were feasting on grilled clams (and oysters I think) and I just love the photography/closeups of the food scenes....the clams yawning open when they're cooked....oh how I wish I lived closer to the ocean and could get really fresh seafood!
I was full when I started ep 7, but I still ended up eating some ramen along the way. I wonder how much weight the actors will gain from this show. This is the only show where fans will probably not send food trucks. Anyway, it looks like next week's ep will start focusing more on romance. Looking forward to it.
YSY is a very charming guy. Miss seeing him and the interaction on "Barefoot Friends", the show was okay but I really enjoyed watching everyone talk about food, eat, and then take it to a friends house to share.
It was nice to see Jang Keun-Suk in a drama again. I thought IU did a nice job in Pretty Man [AKA Bel Ami / Pretty Boy]. This was my first time seeing Lee Jang-Woo in a drama and I enjoyed his character David Choi. I am glad that I was immune to Second Lead Syndrome with this time around...New Year's Resolution - Fighting / Hwaiting!
So far, I am enjoying Miss Korea and some of the societal/gender issues that it has touched upon.
So far, my favorite shows airing right now are You From Another Star, Thrice Married Woman, and Let's Eat. I feel satisfied and fulfilled after each episode. I have to make sure that I have eaten before I watch Let's Eat.
I am struggling with Prime Minister & I. I love Yoon Si-Yoon as an actor and am only still watching for him as Kang In-Ho. I am not sold on the romance between Kwon Yool and Nam Da-Jung. Their bonding leading to romance scenes never feel organic or natural - they always seem to come across to me as manufactured and contrived. My stomach turns/feels tied in knots and I always end with a feeling of disgust after each episode of watching them inch closer together toward each other.
I am watching One Warm Word [AKA A Word From Warm Heart] just for Lee Chae-Mi... to see and get a glimpse of her in another role after Two Weeks.
I agree about Prime Minister & I...it all feels mechanical, much like going through the motions without any heart. I haven't watched the latest episode and am probably dropping it. Also…although age-gaps don't usually bother me, Yoona does have a very child like appearance and at times that made seeing the main couple together a little uncomfortable…she looks like another one of the kids. Also doesn't help that YSY looks pained the whole time- he was the biggest reason I kept watching. I'm glad some people like it as it's nice to like things but I guess it's just not for me.
I'm sold on the Prime Minister's romance but it's boring and predictable, albeit very sweet. Chief of Staff's choices, healing, and redemption is what I'm interested in. Whatever they do to keep the OTP apart, doesn't matter.We know they'll get together in the end but the intrigue, the planning, the scheming, the emotional investment of In-Ho..that's what gets me hooked. And Madame Na. ;-)
I couldn't marry woman who married Thrice. I keep thinking the idea of divorce/remarriage would be bothering me.
I get this sense that Miss Korea is going to be very dark and painful at certain times and although I totally love it, I find myself backing away from the stress. Will see if I dive in again.
The actor who played David Choi had a brightness to him, but also a strange touch of gray. Can't describe it but I feel he will be a really interesting actor if he gets the right part. HE seemed to be trapped in two emotions in this drama: supportive glee and moping hopeful lover. I liked David Choi and I came so close to second lead syndrome without actually tipping over into it.
Doing a "post-and-run" because I've been up for 24 hours and I just need to get to sleep. ...... I'll be back to visit later tonight to read everyone's great posts.
This week's drama-viewing:
Heirs - Just 2 episodes to go. ...... Interestingly, I've found that I understand where Kim Tan's father is coming from. He's right in wanting to light a fire under his second son, who's been for the most part unmotivated and disinterested in things. ....... And that little speech the dad gave him about protecting the oldest son as a byproduct of the younger son getting involved in the business, well, that actually made sense. ...... What's reprehensible is the father's actions ...... and his attitude towards every human being around him is simply deplorable.
A Gentlemen's Dignity - Finished this one! ..... With the help of DB recap reading, I was able to finish watching this drama dubbed in Vietnamese on tv, which I'm not fluent in. This was a new way of drama-watching for me and it was interesting. ....... Unfortunately I never really got very enthusiastic about the drama as a whole. I ended up not really caring about the main couple and whether they were going left or right or here or there. ..... The Yoon storyline was what kept me coming back to watch.
A Warm Word - Just started this one. ...... So far so good. ...... Interesting characters, not always kind or warm, but certainly interesting. ....... And Ji Jin-hee. ..... Oh my goodness, Ji Jin-hee. Can't. Look. Away.
Still watching the Season 1 Appa Oediga episodes on the weekends. Everyone just got the New Zealand trip news, so the next couple of weeks are going to be a total change for the gang. ..... Can't wait to see them explore and have a fun adventure in a foreign land.
Ok, that's it for now. Everyone take care and have a great Friday!
It's funny how everyone finds something else to enjoy in the same drama. I was all about Do Jin and YiSoo as well as Jung Rok but couldn't stomach Yoon and Meahri. Oh, I also liked how they showed school with prerequisite troublemakers (WooBie!!!!). Though, I must say I wasn't extatic about the ending. The other thing is that as I was watching it in summer 2012 the Olympic Games spoilt the fun because there was a long break in AGD airing and the whoelthing lost its pace.
I had the same reaction about Warm Words: "JJH! Where have you been hiding?!".
It is certainly interesting that how we all pick different things to like or complain about from the same drama! But I suppose that with all our different tastes and experiences, this is to be expected. ...... It's always fun to read the different comments though!
What can I say, Yoon just kind of stood out for me a little more than his other 3 friends. ..... And he was actually more interesting than Meahri. She was just whiny and sometimes annoying with her crying episodes. ...... Jung Rok was the other interesting guy, along with his wife. Too bad the drama didn't really go more in depth with their whole relationship.
And yes, JJH ..... how can you not have a reaction?
I watch Appa Oediga on regular tv, on the MBC channel. I think the episodes are about 4 to 6 weeks behind what's being aired in Korea.
On last weekend's show they were not in New Zealand yet. They all just got the cards notifying them that the next trip is to NZ.
This weekend's episode will show them flying over and arriving in NZ to begin their new adventure. Oh, and I think they're bringing along some of their brothers/sisters on this trip!
Love love love You From Another Star. Don't know why *some people* think it's like MTETS. Seriously? Whatchatalkinabout? That ending in E7 was epic.
Anyway, I'm watching E03 of Twenty Years Old. It's short and sweet. Hopefully, it ends that way too.
Also watching for the nth time the first 2 episodes of Sherlock S3 while waiting for the last episode on Sunday. The spoiler free teasers I've read about the last episode makes me scream with excitement but also makes me terrified for some of my favorite characters in the show. When not watching, eating, or sleeping, I'm filling up a folder of Benedict Cumberbatch pics while playing that song in S3E2 endlessly [December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) by The Four Seasons].
I'm so glad YFAS is good, it deserved those monster ratings it's been raking in all right. And Twenty Years Old is ADORABLE, I was expecting nothing but fluff but it's hard not to empathise with poor Hye-rim. (really good kissing too - kudos to the writers and both leads for that!)
And this: Also watching for the nth time the first 2 episodes of Sherlock S3 while waiting for the last episode on Sunday.
Me too!!!! I've avoided all teasers and spoilers like the plague, but I know enough of this show to fear for everyone's life and happiness, episode 2 ended far too happily. And I'm dreading episode 3, not just because of what it could bring to our characters, but because it'll likely be the last Sherlock we have for another few years, and the waiting kills me.
YFAS: I also love the soundtrack. The newest track titled the same as the drama by 태사비애 (played when they kissed) is beautiful.
Sherlock: Well, at least the creators have confirmed a 4th season and they also said they've already developed plots for a 5th one.
Since it's worth the wait, I don't mind it. The cinematography and soundtrack's wonderful. I'd rather have those few quality episodes than watch the neverending American shows.
Steven Moffat's writing His Last Vow and he's really good and will bring back the thrills. Based on those privileged to watch the last episode early, phrases like 'the darkest episode in the series', 'emotionally devastating', 'defying expectations' were thrown out. I'm scared, but I expect some things to happen based on the books. It's how they're gonna deliver that's making me excited. Also, they're gonna do a Marvel and so we've got to wait for some post-credit goodness.
Agree! My Love From The Star is no Moon That Embraces the Sun. Although I didn't hate MTETS, it was pretty forgettable for me and I never was never very invested in the characters or story. Meanwhile, I find MLFTS clever and entertaining but it also has my heart and I am very much invested. I think Kim Soo Hyun is doing an awesome job as Min Joon. I totally buy him as the character without him over selling it. JJH is doing awesome as well, obviously.
Twenty Years Old was rather sweet! A nice surprise.
Also loving Let's Eat, and am very excited for INR3…Don't know how I'm going to find time to watch everything as I'm having a busy month. Eep.
Hope you all are having a good time, I've started the weekend by sampling strange chinese new year candy and wondering how long a box of oranges will keep (so. many. oranges.)
I've also become good at making paper Lilies, make one and suddenly you have 5 kids all wanting one (and 3 demanding paper airplanes..)
And thanks to Saya I have now gotten my sister into watching White Christmas!
Kdrama Toddlers style in which:
-The 5 year olds hospital is going badly and doctors are desperatly looking for new patients to come in ("Is anyone sick?! Anyone?!" - quote the "head doctor")
- The player gets cuddling time ruined by the mean teacher (that would be me) when girl nr. 3 is called up to try and identify the toilet from the sink in the picture. There was much pouting shown. (day 1)
- (day 2) The player is unhappy with girl nr. 4 sitting to far away and gets her to move her sitting pillow next to him so he can hug her and rest his head in her lap. Which leads to...
-... the rival getting jealous and tries to direct the players attention to him self. Though his hugs are sadly rejected.
-Girl nr 4 and the rival also share a fight on the dance floor over who gets to dance with the player . Player observes this looking mildly confused but with a big goofy smile.
- (day 3) player gets ignored by girl 4 (nr. 1 and 2 are absent) and the rival. comens sad looks and longing stares into his water cup. followed by girl nr. 3 And "the occasional sidekick"clinking their all 3 cups together and going "cheers! one shot!" to get him to drink and smile (starting young if good at drinking you shall be?)
- boy R and girl nr 4 share a tongue kiss/smach/touch whatever I should call it. both stick their tongue out and leans forward until the tongues are touching. And by that I don't mean just the tip, the tongues was pressed together. (and this is when the player drops his water cup in the background..)
Actual dramaland
-Priminister and I: plase don't stop being good! So liking this show and that things are said at once
-9 outs end 2 outs: Liked this drama a lot. And I'l take the second (and third) male leads. Though no secound lead syndrom for this drama.
Other than that I'm feeling at a stand still. Don't wanna watch something new, but don't know what to rewatch. So please give me suggestions to your most rewatchable drama?
We could try watching Ugly Alert. That seems to have gotten on a few best of lists. It's about 100 episodes i think but they're about 35 mins each. If you're game, we can do it together.
35 min episodes aren't that bad. Haha especially not after Reply 1994's uber long ones. I watched When I watched Hard Nut it hit me "Ah this is what I missed with jdorama's.. short episodes!".
It's a romance and supposedly the writer didn't use the typical drama tropes. Starts with a guy going to prison for a crime he didn't commit...and then supposedly the love story is very real and organic.
Plus, it stars my beloved Lim Juhwan :). I feel like I've betrayed him by not watching this drama, lol. I do not have much time, though, especially with school. I might watch it over the Summer. If you decide to watch it now, please let me know what you think.
re: kdrama, toddler style - I would be slightly scared of the 'head doctor', seems like if he couldn't find sick people, he'd make some of his own!
re: most rewatchable shows - a bunch of Hong sisters shows are highly rewatchable, I really liked You're Beautiful on rewatch, ditto MS. And Vampire Idol is subbed only up to episode 44 (of a total 79 - each episode is 26 minutes) but I really enjoy it on rewatch too, or maybe that's just how much I love seeing Kim Woo-bin and Lee Yubi with actual love interests. It gets a bit draggy when it involves certain characters, but for a daily, it's great fun.
"if he couldn’t find sick people, he’d make some of his own" I agree. He probably could. They have a history of "poisoning" food in that class.
Yeah I've lost the number of times I've rewatched "You're Beautiful". To the point where I've seen it a little to much (also seeing Yonghwa's acting in it after his improvement in Mirae's choice... He didn't seem quite so wooden when I first saw it :p )
Vampire Idol has been on my towatch list for a while but when I got around to start it dramacrazy died xD
I like to rewatch certain episodes of a show, not the entire thing. The closest I came to recently is "Best Love", where I watched from Ep 4 to the end.
Yeah I do the same. Best thing about having watched Dong YI before is rewatching the scenes you like and jump all the rest. I also have certain scenes that I feel like watching when I get in a certain mood. Like the tango scene from "Scent of a woman".
I guess the "most rewatchable drama" title from me goes to Queen In-Hyun's Man - I started with episode 1 again one hour after I'd finished ep 16 xD (and read the recaps ;) )
And usually I'm not on that Must. Watch. Next. Episode! trip when I rewatch, but with QIHM, I watched the whole thing twice in 6 days... So I guess that says everything :D
(And even now I still badly want to watch it again, I just don't have the DVDs right now...)
The toddlers!! ...... they even get to have a pretend "cocktail hour" in the classroom! ..... *laughing*
I have to ask, how strange was the new year's candy? Strange shapes, strange flavors ..... or both?
I don't know what to tell you about the oranges. I know they're not as delicate as something like strawberries, but of course they don't last indefinitely. ..... Perhaps they can be used for a couple of baking recipes or something.
Glad you're enjoying Prime Minister & I ..... I keep on hearing good things about it. ..... I'm looking forward to this one in a couple of weeks.
Haha yes! The toddlers have a thing for going "one shot" when they have to drink water. They also participate in drinking competitions about who can finish their drink the fastest.
Mostly strange flavours. Like milk candy, and corn flavours (tasted like corn, and looked like corn) and some unidentified thing that I have no idea of. And so many different gel candy things. Including one that came with a coating of seeds.
I'm intrigued by the candy. ...... I may be wrong, but I believe gel type of candies are very popular. I heard once, on a documentary that "gelatin-like" textures are liked very much in food items, both main dishes and desserts.
The corn candy is certainly different.
This is so neat, you get to learn about the food in addition to the language, customs, etc!
Yeah I went to a wedding on saturday and they served one rice dish that was covered in a for of jelly/gelatine thing.
And yes they have so many types of gel candy and also mouthfull of jelly that you can buy.
The food is good here most of the time (though some of the food I get in the school isn't always very tasteful or impressive. But food should apparently follow a mix of yin and yang types of food. And you should always finish by drinking soup, especially after dumplings. And drink hot water. That's what I've been told so far :p
Hi guys! i've been wanting to watch white christmas for the longest time now but couldn't find english subtitles for it(soft subs).Can someone please post a link to it?
I have a question about Prime Minister and I. I'm kind of annoyed at some issues, how can I call them? Anti-feminist maybe? I'll explain:
NDJ seems different to me now, she was sassy and smart, now she is way too submissive. He treats her like a child all the time and nobody cares, including her. It's so mildly disgusting. sorry. I want to not feel it but it's there. Isn't it?
The seceretary that devoted her whole life to an married guy is just sad and the other character bothering me is the wife of the "villain". She is shallow, ok, I get it, but still she is treated very badly buy a cold cheating husband and the show makes comedy of this. This is NOT funny, and again, mildly offensive to be shown as funny. Am I the only one bothered by these aspects of PMI?????
I was having a problem with that but I'm thinking he will learn from her as well. And really, what can one do? Often the older male, younger female relationships do have that dynamic even in real life. Sad i know but true.
There's also the whole premise of 1001 Nights. She is here to heal his soul after his wife cheated on him. So..we're kinda locked in.
Hey Carole! Arghhh sometimes not speaking english so well is very frustrating! I can't say all I would know how to say in my "first" language. :)
Yeah, I can tell they are going toward the whole "he is learning too!" routine but it's done in a very standard fashion and personally for me, one thing has nothing to do with the other. She was much more assertive in the first eps. I don't get how a smart reporter turns into a submissive housewife that only tries to clean and take care of kids and fake husband all day long and still gets yelled for it! But wait, later he saves her from a car so it's romantic, it's all right.
I mean everybody loved to hate Heirs and we all nitpicked when the show sent all kinds of very wrong anti-feminist messages but now it seems everyone loves PMI and nobody notices nothing about this. It's so strange! :)
I agree with your other comment about YSY too, he's terrific here. I didn't care much for him before, he was charming and all but I had the feeling, after BK and FBND he always overacted a lot. In PMI he is proving me wrong and I'll gladly wait for better roles for him in the future.
It is conventional but remember, she's out of her element. That's one aspect of a contract marriage I find interesting and it's something I'm working on in my present WIP. It's a class/status/politics class marriage and there are enemies and political games to understand.
As a reporter, she was allowed to be herself. Her world was anathema and all about outing folks. As a political wife, she is seeing the other side.
Don't get me wrong. I totally agree that she is not the feminist ideal but yeah...in films and in real life, the worshipful attitude towards one's husband/daddy figure is pretty typical. If this were more realistic or feminist, we'd have to go darker: heck her real father is dying and she has found herself a substitute one. But this drama probably won't go there. No one has really mentioned age yet.
You nailed it Carole. "heck her real father is dying and she has found herself a substitute one." THAT is really bothering me. It's not healthy, it's a neurosis. How come D.Choi gets to be treated as problematic in Pretty Man (I'm still in ep 11 but I think that's where it's going with his crush) but in PM she is just in love? C'mon writers.
Also I think there is a korean background element that I'm missing, I tried to explain better in my reply to Manin. Ther is probably a HUGE gap between what a korean woman would deem as submissive and a brazilian woman. At least that is what these kdramas show, if reality is very much different than they should hurry up and catch up.
How awesome would be if this drama was about a neurotic girl with a daddy crush and a real love triangle with the disturbed dark Chief Kang. :)
But ya know... a lotta deep love relationships are born in the perfect match of neuroses. Not saying all older guy/younger girl relationships are neurotic but eh some of them are. Also not saying that all same-age relationships are sane. Neurosis abounds in all relationships. It's just that... in a world filled with divorces, with men with mid-life crisis, with men who swap old models for new models, and with needy young women needy father figures, ...well this kind of drama is pretty standard middle-aged male masturbatory fare.
The story works as it is, though. Even though the writers aren't calling our attention (or their own attention) to the full-blown neurosis with the dying daddy...it's still a true love. It feels that way.
I don't think NDJ is being submissive. I think it has something to do with constantly meeting a wall in a way. first with the children and the PM and then the having the one person she though of as a friend and confident int he entire mess confess to her. Along with not wanting to make things worse as well.
for me NDJ is just feeling the hardness of being the one friendly and cheerful person around, when so many opposes to her being there. And facing that anyone is bound to break at some point.
I get where you are coming from with the other characters though. The wife is defintively a character played for laughs being ultimatly being mostly sad and lonely. And the secreatry and the "Villain" are both clinging on to long time one-sided crushes.
But I don't let it bother me much in PM&I. There have been shows far worse in anti-feminism than this. And it's not
Hey Manin! I think it has to do with a person background maybe. For me, I'm brazilian. We are loud people. :) I'm a quiet person, I'm reserved, I'm the most unbrazilian brazilian you could possibly find :) and still, I can't define her demeanor as anything else but submissive at this point.
It's in the way she is always saying PM, PM, PM, it's so sooo inferior and always in that pleading/shocked tone. She is there as a person of equal standing isn't she? Why would she talk to him like that? Purposedly putting herself in a lower position all the time?
It's in the way he screams at her sometimes. I can't talk/argue with anyone for 2 hours but if there is any screaming involved, I flip. Seriously. She just takes it calmly, like she deserves it. Sometimes he has blamed her for things unfairly too but she never even tries to explain anything, she just takes it, she never speaks to defend herself, to have an adult conversation.
He has her writing a journal, he gives her homework. She pleads in a small voice not to do it. Seriously? It's almost like they are in a BDSM relationship, enacting their own pg13 version of 50 Shades of Grey. :)
Yeah although I don't see it that way I can see where you are coming from. She was definitively more headstrong in the beginning. And he is more assertive while she is trying to be careful in all she does to not mess up.
For me I am more a quiet person, but also used to putting on a more cheerful persona when dealing with troubles. And appearing strong, while at the same time giving in because that's just easier in a lot of cases. So I see it more that way. She has this cheerful and strong persona, but also one that is feeling lonely and hurt. Dealing with her father, and not the contract marriage, the PM and his hot and coldness, the children, the secretary and everything else.
I suppose it's all down to experiences really. And I assume cultural notions of hierarchy plays into her way of addressing him as well. Like she calls him PM, while other drama's have he wife use "minister" or " chief" or whatever for their husband; focus on the title rather than the name.
It is probably a culture thing too, I guess? Most Asian cultures are patriarchal in nature and it is what is 'normal' to them.
Truth be told, even though NDJ seemed to have mellowed out I still think that at the very core she is still herself. Because of her, the children are less afraid to speak out now and are more willing to voice out their own opinions to their father. And in episode 8, when KY tells her to stop speaking, NDJ insisted on speaking her piece and questioned KY why they always have to do it his way. In a lot of ways, NDJ can still be considered as an unconventional wife/mother as much as she can be considered a conventional wife/mother.
The homework thing could also be a matter of perspective. NDJ was an aspiring writer until she gave it up in order to provide for her father. Her being 'forced' to write everyday could help her find her dream again.
Also, while SHJ's obsession with KY is a concern, for the most part, her being a second lead character is handled well.
But the villain's wife is puzzling to me too... In that marriage, she is the one with money, power, political connections AND she is not in love with her husband. So it does not really make sense, the power dynamics in that marriage.
I agree with sassysuzy. I was cheering when she stood up to Yul and said why is it always your way. Pretty bold stuff, in my opinion, and proof that she is holding on to her core values even in the middle of this crazy situation.
There is a difference between making some compromises with someone to get along (and she is asking PM to change as much as she is adapting) and just giving in submissively to someone who is use to being the boss. In no way do I see her as blindly submitting. She is finding her way, fighting with the unique skills that she has of being warm and smart and funny. She keeps working on changing the PM and his children to bring them to a happier place in spite of very strong resistance on his part. That's strong in my book.
So I see her as a very strong female character. Much stronger than the Miss Korea girl who wiggles her tail to get the boys attention in high school. Just my opinion, and why I adore PM&I.
Yul couldn't be won over by someone who refused to fill out status reports and fought in his face insubordinate. Yul will be worn down by his wife's strength of character. Every time she gets the upper hand, every time Yul is left sputtering and confused on how he hasn't been able to just order her to comply, I am feeling the warmth.
The status report isn't what is important. Yul will give in on that point when he has better connection to his family. She gives it to him for now, reluctantly, while working on the more important issue of healing and love.
Plus she is in love, so we tend to indulge the idiosyncrasies of our loved ones, even if it is as foolish as asking for a daily report. It's the sort of thing I would expect from a PM ... an executive summary just like he gets from all the rest of his staff. HA HA. You know Yul wants to know his family, he loves them dearly, he just is trying to manage them and doesn't get he needs other skills (maybe skills his first wife took care of and his new wife can teach him).
Cultural differences is something I have spent my life trying to understand and appreciate. It started at age 20 when I traveled to England from the US on vacation and was struck by the differences. It sparked a desire in me for world travel and meeting people from around the world.
My attraction to KDramas was very much being confused by some of the things I saw because I didn't understand the culture. I've made a study of it these past 2 years, and it has broadened my world view.
I don't believe USA has the only right answers in the world. I have thought advertisers with their need to differentiate has lead to a ridiculous proliferation of choices, but I had never thought not having a choice could be an option that promoted community. Only watching KDramas has made that idea understandable to me. REALLY interesting idea.
NDJ is my fave character in Prime Minister and I! For being vulnerable, yet strong. For adapting to new situations, and still being herself. For standing up for herself.
Watching Sheena Iyengar' The Art of Choosing is enlightening... especially when she said that "No single narrative serves the needs of everyone everywhere." or that "Instead of replacing one story with another, we can learn from and revel in the many versions that exist and the many that have yet to be written."
This is why I like skimming comments every now and then. Sometimes I share the same opinion. Sometimes I have a different one. It is quite interesting how one thing speaks differently to each and every one of us.
There is no ONE 'right way', there could be a different 'right way' for each and every one of us. Different cultures, countries, individuals - is fascinating, isn't it?
I watched the TED and really disliked it. Sorry. If I was there I don't think I could have just sat there and listened to the whole thing, I would have walked away in protest because it just angers me to hear such absurdness.
I'm sorry, seriously, I don't mean to be rude or anything but some of the stuff she said was just too horrible and the philosophy itself of saying some people are better off with less or no choice is beyond dangerous.
Have you ever lived in a place with a dictatorship? It's just the kind of thing they love to embrace. I can just imagine all those young girls in some countries being forced to marry right now someone they never met because their families knows best. All those kids being told homosexuality is a choice. All the people without freedom of religion. I CANNOT EVER accept someone saying those poor people from ex-communist countries having doubts about too many soda options is a consistent argument for the idea that less choice is better. Not ever.
I know it's very modern to say there is no one right way and we should respect all cultures but I've always been very much against that. Let's say you were dropped in a savage ancient tribe and they practiced human sacrifice, could you really respect that? If you could, would you not stop that? I would. I have zero respect for treating people as objects. I have zero respect for cultures that don't value women and children and I love choices. If people don't know how to make choices, blame the people not the choices. :)
I've a tech question for those of you who might know: what's a good, small, easy to use wireless printer?
I have the Epsom xp-400, and it never prints. It did in the beginning, so I missed returning it to Amazon, but I checked all the settings, there's new ink cartridges, it's connected, and it won't print. So I'm going to donate it - someone techie can get it from Goodwill and play with it - but I seriously need something Dummy-Push-Here.
We have a wireless printer. It printed, then hubby went to switch it off to save electricity, and then it didn't. Hubby said that the machine cleared its wireless pairing and had to be re-paired everything it gets switched off. Then he managed to save the pairing into permanent setting and now it works fine. I dunno if this could be the same for you?
It may be an operating system- wireless bad interaction. You may need to install a different driver. If your OS is XP! You may be out of luck...good luck to you!
I'm no techie but I'm going to try. Firstly, if you're sure it's connected, then it's not a problem of IP mismatch, so... that's out.
When you attempt to print something, have you ever checked your print queue (My computer calls it the "see what's printing" option)? (If you're using Windows, it usually appears as one of those small icons in the bottom right corner. Alternatively, you can go to Start ; devices and printers; and right click on your printer then find "see what's printing") If it appears in your "print queue", then (this is going to sound stupid but it's happened to me before...) are you sure that you have not selected the "pause printing" option?
It might be as simple as redoing the wireless setup on the printer. Most of those printers also have an option to use a USB cable, so might be able to test it that way.
Hi Everybody,
Have a great start to the weekend. I am in a drama slump right now and hope that INR3 changes that. Have been hearing great things about ‘You who came from the stars’ but I want to wait and marathon it only after it finishes.
Can anyone recommend some good TW-dramas that aired recently? My last one was ‘In time with you’. I haven’t found anything worth watching after that. It can’t be that last year did not have even a single good TW-drama.
Hmm, I don’t have much to say since I haven’t watched any dramas in the last 3 weeks, with the exception of the mini web series with the idol from B2ST. I didn’t know him since I didn’t hear any B2ST songs but the series was cute though extremely short(I thought it was too short to even think of it as a film.. 40 mins, no way)..
Completely irrelevant here, but I wish for a complete and if possible speedy recovery for Michael Schumacher. Not a big F1 fan but news of his ski-accident has hit me pretty hard… and I have developed a huge crush(no admiration actually) for Queen Rania. She is eloquent, intelligent and wants to make the world a better place, which is an admirable trait..Think this is why I have a Kdrama drought.. have been spending my free time watching her videos on Youtube( Queen Rania’s top 10 reasons and Oprah interview are my favs)
In A Good Way is a TW drama currently showing on fridays and as of tonight be up to Episode 9 if I am not wrong. I do recommend that. There are two shows by Annie Chen and George Hu, one a long 80+ episodes and the other ard 18? which I watched and found them ok. Perhaps you could search for them. I also watched Just You... a more typical idol drama which is cute but erm... just ok on the storyline.
Miss Korea: It's okay, but I'm finding it slow and I'm just not interested in beauty pageants. You From Another Star: Still loving it. Let’s Eat: Need to watch the two most recent episodes. Prime Minister: Still only reading the recaps. In a Good Way: Ep 8 felt a little slow, but that might be because I've been watching Japanese dramas with 45 min episodes, so I'm not use to the 1.15 – 1.30 length anymore... 20's: cute fluff. 'Like fan fiction' is probably the best way to describe indeed.
Continued working through older dramas of Kimutaku/ Takenouchi and watched Ruri no Shima. Takenouchi only has a supporting role in it, but it's a heartwarming and realistic drama. When I watched the special a very baby-faced Kamiki Ryunosuke popped up (mind you, at 20, he's still baby-faced now), so I decided to watch some of his older stuff. Meaning I finally picked up SPEC: First Blood again (where he has a supporting role) – awesome dorama of course and it makes me crave gyozas very, very badly. Toda Erika and Kase Ryo are fabulous in it of course.
Also watched Kamiki's 11人もいる! (11 non mo ire!, 2011), which is hilarious. One of those quirky, over-the-top dramas, which I would definitely recommend (if the father annoys you in the first episode or two, don't quit!). It's mostly fun, but it actually deals quite a few serious (and taboo) issues. And Kamiki's brilliant in it of course.
Heartbroken Chocolatier starts on Monday. I have a feeling I'm going to hate Ishihara Satomi's character, everything I've read about her makes me cringe. I think the only way I can take it is if Matusjun's character doesn't end up with her. I mean, an ex-girlfriend dumps a guy and then asks him to make the chocolates for her wedding despite knowing that the guy still likes her?
College Life – whole bunch of kids in their last years of freedom, growing up, dealing with friendship, love, etc. It's set in the 1990s.
It's very real, nothing of the overdone drama and contrived situations you normally get, and no backstabbing or love triangles (well, there are crossed love lines, but it's handled realistically, with no characters scheming or manipulating things). Which is exactly why I love it.
Forgot: A Little Love Never Hurts, which I'm skip-watching
I pretty much am only interested in Jae Min's story line. Mi Joo tires me out, Jae Min's not good enough for her, Ha Rim is too out of reach with his wealthy background bla bla bla. This woman just likes to whine and be a pessimist.
Don't get Ha Kyung being mad about Jae Min/Mi Joo having had a relationship in the past, or hiding that she knows about this relationship from her brother who knows about it. Come on, both Ha Kyung and Ha Rim can have their relationship, fight for it and make it work if they really want to be with Jae Min/Mi Joo respectively. They are just making this whole situation more complicated than it needs to be.
I thought this past week was filled with pathos. When Ha Rim went on his knees before his mother, I was crying. I also understood her need to have him as her partner in the business. But her control-freak tendencies have no where to go but drive him away. I sure hope they do work it out.
I also did not understand Ha Kyeong's need to keep a secret from her brother. Maybe we'll find out more this week. I was heartbroken to see her sobbing in the previews. She should be thrilled that Jae Min gave her such a wonderful, real kiss. (Jae Min is so affectionate. He hugs his dad and even scratches his back. So sweet.)
I love the older couple when they are together. And I totally "get" the apprehension that the children have about the relationship. When my mother started dating a man after 20 years, we kids were like, "Mom, get his social security number," (so we could do a background check). She was like, "I can't. He's Canadian." LOL.
I'm glad cheating second daughter has come to her senses and broke up with that loser. He needs to apply a "little love" to his original family.
I really like Kamiki Ryunosuke too. Thanks for the recommendation! It sounds a lot like Yamada Taro Monogatari, but I've a feeling I'll enjoy this one more (couldn't stand the dad in YTM).
It's much, much better than Yamada Taro Monogatari. I tried that one, but had to drop it after a few episodes. The set-up is sort of the same, and at the beginning you're kind of like "What's with these parents", but then they start peeling back layers on all characters and it just kind of works.
Kamiki's character is way more interesting than Ninomiya's was (no spoilers, because some of things that happen are so unexpected that half the fun is in the unexpected twists), plus he's of course miles better as an actor. Goes from pure comedy to deadpan serious in a nanosecond here and occasionally explodes into speedtalking rants, which are just impressive. Plus, every single family member is well defined and gets a moment to shine.
Glad that you have finally caught Ruri no Shima. Did you like it? It is one of my faves from Takenouchi.
And the show brought me Kobukuro! I love them. Koko Ni Shika Sakanai Hana is still my favourite J-OST of all time. They also did the OST - Ryuusei - for Nagareboshi, which is another fave of mine from Takenouchi. ^^
Ruri no Shima was lovely, Narumi Riko did a wonderful job as Ruri, except that I did not think she looked 11! Ruri no Shima seems like one of those underwatched doramas, which is a pity, it has a lot of heart in it. I wish Takenouchi had come back in the special though.
Nagareboshi is probably my all-time favourite of Takenouchi's (Rondo is a very, very close second). Don't remember the OST, I'm going to have to listen to it again and I'll check out Kobukuro.
Loving My Love From Another Star, but it brought up a beef I've been having with dramas since I started watching them.
STOP ending episodes with kisses, especially those that are edited to high heaven and shot at sixty million angles! I find that it ruins the whole romantic effect because you never get to experience with the characters the emotions of the kiss, you just get basically screen shots that look dramatic and layered. Can we just linger in the moment of the kiss sometimes? A few angles are fine, but not so many cuts that it clearly looks like the director just had the actors pose in a kiss and press lips together for 40 seconds for a good shot. I'm not requesting like open-mouth kissing or anything even. Just you know, let it look kinda natural? Or is that too sexy for TV prime time on Korea?
too agree. it should happen mid-episode and the second half would need to deal with the awkward, the honesty or avoidance, the everything. and more. or not more.
STOP ending episodes with kisses, especially those that are edited to high heaven and shot at sixty million angles!
Amen to that. There are some I don't strictly mind, like when we get to see shots of, say, hands reacting. And MiSa had a great ending kiss in one of its episodes that involved multiple angles, but at least Im Soo-jung got to react to the kiss instead of just standing there like a plank (one of the shots was of So Ji-sub pulling her closer so he could kiss her some more). But these days, kisses like those are the exception rather than the rule *sigh*
Kdramas these days are getting really prudish on prime time, I must say. When even Yoon Eun-hye doesn't get a proper kiss with her male lead in a romcom, things do not look good.
BLERGH, don't even get me started on "Marry Him If You Dare." I had heard that YEH was one of the few Kdrama actresses that seemed to actually participate in on-screen kisses, and how does the drama end? WITH CONFUSION AND HULK RAGE. Ughhhhhhhhh.
With the various angle cuts, one of the worst ones I've ever seen was the first kiss in "My Princess." I swear, I got whiplash, but in that drama at least, they had lots of other little mid-episode kisses that were at least cute, even if KTH was stiff as a board.
Oh, and as for outlawing things in kisses, can we also stop with the ladies staring wide-eyed in shock when they are kissed? That doesn't ring realistic, either! If someone comes at your face that fast, you're gonna blink or flinch at least and close your eyes! I know directors love the slow-mo reaction shot of the ladies closing their eyes in acceptance of the kiss, but c'mon now, let's get real.
@opheliadrowning - YEH's onscreen kissing record was flawless, no matter how much her dramas otherwise sucked - which is why MHIYD left me flabbergasted that they did not even use one of her best skills, i.e. her chemistry with her leading men!
with Master's Sun, I wasn't so into the first kiss because, well, she wasn't even there, let alone participating - but the reactions and post-kiss fallout were handled perfectly within the episode. The rooftop kiss was slightly better for me because of the hand shots (which took it in the direction of sexy despite the usual kdrama kiss cliches otherwise present in the scene) and the post-kiss holding on to each other. But they could have really lived up to the potential of that pairing, too bad Hong sisters dramas stay so chaste even with all that innuendo. (and yeah, the wide-eyed look of shock needs to go too. As does the complete lack of reaction allowed from heroines when they're kissed - no one stands there as stiff as a plank when they're kissed for real, not even Park Shin-hye!)
The high school kiss in Miss Korea has the heroine asking for more. So refreshing. No wide eyes, she is totally enjoying it. You can see it at the end of episode four if you have not been watching.
Does anyone have any opinions on Dramafever? You have to sign up to watch videos. I read some of the disclaimer and it sounded like they can do anything they want with your personal info (email). Just wondering if people are happy with the service and videos. There are so many other "easier" sites I didn't know if it was worth it...thanks!
Even though I have an account, I usually don't watch anything on DramaFever because I have issues with the player (doesn't have a good buffer, so I end up watching maybe 30 seconds to a minute, pausing for it to load, etc.). Thankfully, most shows on DF get licensed to Hulu anyway, so I watch most of my shows on Hulu and ViKi. I mainly just watch on DramaFever if I can't find the show I want on any of the other legal sites.
I have been a DF subscriber for a little over a year, and have few problems with it - with the exception of streaming to ROKU. Sometimes on the ROKU app it will lose sync and will have to restart the episode to resync it.
I use gmail so I really don't care what they do with my email address, since gmail filters out 99% of all spam. All I get from them is series updates for those that I have on my list.
Be aware that if you are only signed up with no paid sub you will get a lot of ads, just like most other "free" sites.
Thanks all for the good info! I love DramaBeanies! I couldn't figure out how to watch without signing up but I also tend to watch on kengsubs...cheers!
Mhh, to be honest I'm not so happy with quality options - for some videos, my laptop can't even handle "middle", but "low" is waaaaay to terrible to watch. And of course "high" is only available for premium members - which I still can't become because it STILL isn't available in Germany. "Late November" my ass.
And don't get me started on the ads... Serious question here: Is it normal for America to have ads that often? In Germany it actually isn't allowed (I think an ad break every 20 minuted tops or something...?), at least on tv. And honestly, I wouldn't mind the ads so much if there fewer and longer - you know, one or two blocks, just like on tv.
I'll probably still get premium though should it ever come to Germany, because I hope that they'll have more dramas licensed than Viki - which I pay for, and still have to download almost everything *sigh*
Er, but otherwise DF is actually fine, and I don't think they do anything with your mail address ;)
The regs for TV ads have nothing to do with internet ads as they fall under different rules. The airwaves uses public broadcast spectrum, the internet does not.
But aside from that, I see that a lot of the "free" sites are really loading up on ads, much more than just a year or two ago. Some, like gooddrama.net have gotten so bad that I no longer bother with them.
I have a free account on Dramafever using my hotmail address. They spam me a bit with emails with drama news and stuff. These emails usually irritate me because they assume I'm super excited for idol kid dramas like Heirs. I don't use DF on my phone. I find their business tactics kind of aggressive so I watch Viki or other sites as much as I can instead (I use Viki free mobile app too).
I am a premium member of DramaFever and recently got the Vikipass. I think $4 for Vikipass is a better value than $10 for DF.
In theory I like DF for promoting KDramas with legal licensing, but in practice I find their selection of dramas limited and the player does choke on me at times.
I also have a VikiPass, my only issue with Viki is that they don't have a ROKU app yet, so if I want to see it on the big TV screen I have to plug my laptop into the TV with an HDMI cable.
You don't need an account for DF, for the majority of their Korean dramas...
I actually watch subbed dramas on Hulu's Korean drama genre section, Viki and DF for others not found on Hulu. The three together is substantial enough for me.
I have subscribed for the last 8 months and my only complaint is they seem to take a couple days to load the latest episode. That and their choice seems more limited than Viki. However their subs seem a little more refined (and accurate) than Viki's, unless you are watching some of the older stuff.
In general the loading problems may have more to do with the speed of the internet service provider's connection than how old your laptop is. I watch on a 5 year old HP, but have high speed internet that does the job.
Also I use Google Chromecast and they have an adblock extension that you can download that takes care of at least 80% of the ads on whatever you're watching. (Just download Google Chromecast, then google Chromecast adblock extension and download that.)
I signed up with Dramafever when they offered $6/month for life special, so I feel it was worth it. I also use the Iphone apps for Dramafever and Viki, but cannot adblock Viki on that. Still a small price to pay for watching while on my 40 minute bus commute.
A BIG Like for this comment. haven't watched the episode, but I totally understand what you mean(watched many similar kisses in other Kdramas). 20s was nice that way.Kisses were sweet and natural and didn't have the 360° angle thingie going on in them
Getting less and less happy with Empress Ki. I was aware from the beginning that Empress Ki was going to be somewhat historically inaccurate for the sake of entertainment and gap-filling, but I thought it would still have some semblance of reality instead of being almost completely fictionalized.
With Empress Ki, I was really hoping for a serious, basically accurate account of how this young woman from Korea becomes the Empress of a foreign land. That is an actual and very interesting political story that deserves to be told, but isn't. Instead, Empress Ki is almost completely fictionalized, and is filled with standard drama cliches of love triangles, a woman dressed up as a man, unbelievable plotlines, etc. If I wanted to watch a regular fictional sageuk, I would have watched one.
MBC and the production company and the actors have all said since Day One that they were not making a documentary. A disclaimer is shown at the beginning of every episode to remind viewers that they've taken great liberties with the historical details. Once that fact is taken into consideration, then you will see why the show is constantly pulling in such high ratings.
Empress Ki is not your usual stuffy sageuk that places more emphasis on historical accuracy over plotlines -- I'm watching Jeong do Jeon over on KBS for that. I will live and die with Empress Ki as it is firing on all cylinders with its plot and acting and sets and cinematography. Except for those HORRIBLE subs provided by MBC America -- do they have 100 monkeys at 100 typewriters writing for them? I believe a sageuk character never uttered the phrase "crazy dorkus doofus." *sigh*
I'll concede that the show is still entertaining, even if it has been completely kdrama-terized. LOL @ "crazy dorkus doofus." (By the way, they actually tried the experiment of putting real monkeys at keyboards...after a month, the monkeys produced five pages, mostly consisting of the letter S, and then the lead male monkey started bashing the keyboard with a stone.)
I actually agree with you. Though the drama claims fictional just as other historical dramas, the difference between regular dramas and this is that they created the Kogryo king with no regards to the historical Kogryo king( evil malicious King he was) when other historical figures in the Drama were alive. Because the Kogryo King was created out of thin air, he is portrayed as a very dashing, handsome almost god like faultless person. What the writer did is the complete make over one main lead but retaining other historical figures basically as they were. It is not the good writing method I give a credit to. Once I realized that the King was completely created by the writer, I can predict where the story line would lead... the Korean woman has to love and be loved by Korean man, not by a foreigner,,, this is the bottom line I can sense. Sorry this is only my personal opinion but this set up bothers me.
Yeah, completely rewriting one character like that made things confusing. Part of the reason I started watching was because it's more interesting when you are able to think that the things in the drama actually happened in history, but the drama was not like that at all.
From the start I kind of expected Empress Ki to be historically inaccurate to make up for some more dramatic elements. Now I would say that "historically inaccurate" is a total understatement. The drama itself is very nationalistic; it has pro-Korea written all over it. I mean, it's common knowledge that in the olden days China was the supreme power in Asia, but because of, I presume, bias on the scriptwriter's part, the drama kind of make out the Goryeo king to be perfect. It felt wrong from the first scene when the Goryeo king spoke to the Yuan emperor in a tone not so fitting of a subordinate king. Actually, in the first place, I don't really get why the Goryeo king exists, because I'm pretty sure historically they have no romantic relations. I thought the drama will portray a more realistic (evil) Ki who's intent on installing her own son as the emperor but it turned out to be a purely romantic saguek. I don't see why it has to be set in the past even, it could be just a modern day drama where the male leads are CEOs from rival companies. I guess it's really just for the sake of viewer ratings.
Yes!! A realistic Empress Ki with both good and evil sides to her would have been awesome! I don't understand why they have to either portray someone as totally good or totally bad, when in reality human nature is a balance of good and evil.
Well, we're only 20 episodes in out of 50, so there has to be some event that makes Seung-nyang turn to the dark side soon. And I agree on the statements about Mr. Perfect Kingly Being; Joo Jin-mo is hotness personified, but geez he needs to pick up some flaws and pick them up FAST before I bash my head against my keyboard. And I'm not shipping one lead over the other, since both have their own failings to overcome. (Sorry Emperor Puppy... forgive me this once, okay: :P )
The whole nationalism thing kinda sticks in my craw as well -- I hope and pray that even if the writers are giving a wide berth to the historical facts, that certain 'aspects' of their history are not reworked for the sake of viewer ratings. If written as fact, the three leads were absolute shits in real life, but history is there for a reason. To interject a 'birth secret' into this drama would be a travesty and I hope that EK doesn't slide down that slippery slope at all. We'll see soon. OOHLALA, everyone!!! ㅋㅋㅋ
Thank you Annie, Peeps, kopytko, redfox, ahjummabunny, Patch, LizJ, owl and Thursdaynexxt for all your kind words and concern in the previous OT. Life still sucks but at least I'm feeling a little more positive. Thank you SO much. You guys are wonderful people. ♥
I'm watching Can We Love? and I'm liking it so far. I can't wait for the upcoming dramas, this year's gonna be awesome (hopefully). I'm feeling a little sick, tired, hungry and lazy to type already lol, so........ have a great day ahead! :)
Hi!
I am glad that you could feel a little better. Don't give up!
I also liked Can We Love. Especially the double-life ajumma. Normally, I hate when people smoke, but for her character it was such a great scene. This little mischievous act was very meaningful. The other women are also interesting - they have their problems, their quirks and they seem very natural - by no means cardboard characters.
And the handsome ajussis *swoooon*. How easy it is to make me happy.....
Hey ht, glad to see you again this week, and good to hear you're feeling able to put a more positive spin on things! And if you ever need to get stuff off your chest, this is definitely one good place for it!
Hi hi beanies! It’s been a rather choppy week in kdramaland for me – something’s been “off” for subbing (slower and a bit erratic it seems, at least on some sites). As always, thanks for the recaps db team!
Highlights – *spoilers*
My Love From A Different Star – I adore both Song Yi and Min Joon. Everything about them is working in this drama. And the KISS - chemi. I laughed when he said to her rambling, “I’m not curious. Stop explaining.”I’m going to use that line, it’s good. Unlike the Heirs wardrobe fiasco, the sweaters on Min Joon (and Hwi Kyung for that matter) are fabulously hot. Did anyone else think the cliff was the same one MJ rescued SY at in the past? Although I expected the car to teeter on the edge like the cart and have him pull her out like he did before.
KDQOTD: “Does your heart always do what you want?” (ep 7).
The Prime Minister and I–excellent. Yoona is a really good actress, I like her in this a lot. Contract schmontract, just get your marriage together officially, you two. The undisclosed story about Yoon Suit Yoon’s brother and his relationship with Prime Minister’s wife (and the car accident) is intriguing. I think the tables are turning with Chief Kang’s intentions because he can’t bear to see Da jung get hurt in the process. YSY is almost too cute to pull off a role that requires him be a bit sinister. Just too adorable.
Also watched EXO ep 6, Laws of the Jungle with Chenyeol, and my favorite WGM with JungMi. Let’s see, there was the Cool Kiz Basketbal and Christmas special (the ramen tree for charity, I liked it – oh, and John Park won the award for best newcomer celeb 2013). I am waiting for KPop Star season 3 eps6+ and Genius 2: Rulebreaker ep 4+ to be subbed.
Did anyone catch Joo won singing a bit from the musical “Ghsot” on A Song for You? JW is the complete package tied with a giant bow.
Jdrama: It wasn’t a week for a Woman episode: I’m on 9 but have to be able to handle it. Is there a current jdrama that anyone is watching and would recommend?
Other stuff: I am considering another pt job – could use $ and it will have busy/slower times throughout the year. But on top of full time nannying plus side editing jobs, I’m beginning to feel like a single working Korean woman taking on yet another pt job in the mix. I am afraid it might be tiring, but it will be challenging in a good way.
The first book of the new year that I’m reading – Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City by Russell Shorto (2013). What are others reading already this year?
just started 'The wonder that was India'.. all excited about it..
other than that, i read 'Slammed'..went into it with very low expectations coz I wanted to see what the hype was about..it wasn't bad..some grammatical mistakes and a simplistic writing style, but interesting enough to be a '1 sitting' book..
also read Agatha Christie's 'Curtain' and loved it..
it's sooo good. It's about neuroscience and mindfulness. And Maria Konnikova uses Sherlock stories to explain the human mind. I reviewed it on compulsivereader.com but check it out.
Right, Carole, the money versus time and even health is a balance act. I also don't want to give up my art time (which I only get to some nights plus weekends - and that already competes with kdrama time since I can't do both simultaneously because I have to read the subtitles :)). I have to do a good job of weighing the pluses and minuses before I make a decision. Anyway, thanks for the input - who would've thought db would also be a community to bounce off life issues as well?
Those sound interesting, especially the Mastermind book.
I am reading Perfume: The Story of a Murderer in German with a friend. It's real literature and I'm learning a lot about perfume.
My book club meets next week to pick this year's books. I'm taking Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Book Store. It's about a 20ish man who worked in hi tech, but needs to get a job, so he gets one at a bookstore. It turns out the bookstore is a front for a secret society. It's a great portrait of the geeks of society.
Last year I read Wilderness and the American Mind. It's about the history of wilderness in the US--why did we set so much land aside to be wilderness. I created a Pinterest board for the artwork and views and parks he wrote about.
Also, my book club read The Orphan Master's Son. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2011. It's set in North Korea. Not an easy read, but I thought it was worth getting through.
I've been watching A Clinic On The Sea . Rom Com about a medical team that works on a ship. They provide medical care for island residents. The male doctor "falls in love" at the drop of a hat. Of course, there's his nurse that tries to keep him in line. Could it be that she's his love to be?
hey owl! Good luck with the pt jobs, you'll be a drama heroine soon if you don't watch out!
I've been reading fluff, mostly - lots of P.G. Wodehouse, which is great because I adore his language and am desperately in need of a laugh sometimes. Though strictly, it's re-read - the only new book I've read in 2014 so far is A Street Cat Named Bob, by James Bowen - a real-life account of the author's life turning around after the adoption of a stray cat. I love cats and hope to be a cat owner someday, so I got a bit sentimental over this one.
This week's viewing
Still on Heirs,I've not finished watching it since I'm preparing to write my exams,its not actually as bad as I expected it to be,I'm actually kinda enjoying maybe its because of the negative comments I had stuck in my brain
YFAS is just a DAEBAK drama,I love love love that drama I love CSY 'sawry' and DMJ stoic attitude and that kiss *sigh*
And putting it out there,I just started learning how to write and read Hangul from a website(www.koreanwikiproject.com)I have to say its relatively easy to learn(first name learnt in hangul-Lee min ho :D)
I have my plates full trying to watch kdramas,learn hangul and read upcoming exams,I'm enjoying it though
Dedicated Beanie from nigeria(my love for dramabeans writers and commenters knows no bounds.LOL)
Hey everyone! I didn't keep up with any airing dramas this week, but did watch Twenty Years Old, which is a definite win - it's the sweetest teen/young adult relationship I've seen in kdrama in YEARS (discounting Nam-soon/Heung-soo of course). Kikwang is so utterly adorable, it's hard to resist the urge to put him in my pocket, and it helps that he did a good job at the acting too. But the real weight of the story rested on Lee Da-in, and I'm thrilled to report she was more than capable of holding it - she's every bit as much of a charming, natural screen presence as her unnie Yubi, and talented to boot. For a total of eighty minutes, it's pretty well-told and I love that the relationship actually involves a guy treating his girlfriend with care and decency - as much as possible for an idol, anyway. Though I wish they explained that ending more (but kisses!!! LOTS of kisses!! Not dead-fish kisses, but ones that actually allow our girl to look like she's into the guy! Who'd have thought....)
Movie-wise, I watched Crush and Blush last week (STILL on that Master's Sun lead train, I am). The best thing about it were Gong Hyo-jin and Seo Woo's performances, and the bond their characters formed - from the synopsis, I thought Lee Jong-hyuk would have a greater role but he's really just background for SW and GHJ. It was more female-centric than I thought it would be.....and also dirtier. And I'm more impressed than ever with GHJ, because this character is SO different from any of her others - completely unlikable, but somehow sympathetic.
And it takes guts to allow yourself to be presented as so unattractive onscreen - and I don't mean 'kdrama ugly', where a bowl cut or glasses or a topknot are supposed to render an attractive woman devoid of appeal, but actually, properly ugly. I can totally see why this role got GHJ so many kudos - she went all-in, and it shows. Ditto Seo Woo, who at 22 makes for a disturbingly convincing middle schooler.
Other than that, my week has been dominated by one show only, which is fitting considering I waited two years for it - SHERLOCK!!!!! First ep was a bit shaky, plot/structure-wise, but 90 minutes of Benedict Cumberbatch's voice totally makes up for it - and I am mildly disturbed by how attracted I am to him when the makeup department has gone out of its way to heighten his resemblance to an alien, a dinosaur, or Kim Woo-bin. I was dying to know how he survived the fall, and thank goodness I avoided spoilers because the impact of the reveal on these things just gets diluted hard when the Internet lets you know things beforehand.
And I died a little inside when Irene Adler showed up in the 'mind palace' in ep 2. Actually, all of ep 2 made me die a little inside, from drunk Sherlock to his wedding speech panics to him scaring Mary's ex straight, but the ending.......now I'm really scared that ep 3 is going to end in absolute misery and then leave us hanging for another two years - this show will be the death of me.
Twenty years old was cute and fluff and I liked it. Still haven't seen episode 4 I think. But it was pretty good.
What is Crush and blush about? Sounds like an interesting watch.
Sherlock season 3 is out? (Yes I missed it how could I?) Is it good? I was worried what they would do now that most of the book material is used up (I think anyway).
Hey Manin! I'm fine, thanks - glad to hear you liked Twenty Years Old too, it's better than I expected such a bit of fluff to be.
Crush and Blush is basically about an unattractive (in personality as well as looks) middle school teacher and student teaming up to break up the student's dad's affair with another teacher at the school (said dad is also a teacher, and taught our heroine when she was in high school). That's the bare-bones plot, but it's really quite funny even if it is not your average romcom and probably needs better editing in some parts.
Sherlock S3 premiered on New Year's Day, and now the last episode will air this Sunday in the UK (which means, by hook or by crook, I will watch it). There are dozens of Holmes stories in book canon so there's no danger of them running out of Doyle material, but this season seems to have deviated from the formula a little bit and tends to place the focus more on the characters than the mysteries. That was for episode 1, anyway - episode 2 has a very active mystery woven in with the plot. I'd say it's good, though ep 1 is a but shaky and ep 2 is where it gets better - will have to wait and see about 3, I suppose.
I don't think it deviated from the canon. Pre-The Final Problem was more case-oriented and Post-TFP was more character-based in the books too. There was definitely a more mellow/emotional Sherlock when he got back from the dead. Actually, Sherlock from the books was obviously more open to his feelings when he wrote that note to John in The Final Problem calling him 'Dear' 3 times, I think. Besides, the creators have always said that it's not a Detective Show, it's a Show About a Detective. Also regarding the criticisms about the first 2 episodes including fan fiction (Sherlock-Moriarty bromance FTW!), the writers as big fans/experts of ACD has said that they don't need/read fan fiction off the Internet. They write fan fiction. And Sherlock is their fan fiction.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS: There are rumors that the things that happened in The Empty Hearse (not just the John-Guy Fawkes thing), The Sign of Three (not just the telegram from CAM to Mary), and maybe some from season 2 are all connected and would be revealed in the final episode.
Hi pogo, haha I lovewhat you said about Sherlock. I also found ep 1 a bit shaky, a bit toomuch of a textbook Sherlock episode but ep 2 blew my mind. I am also nervous about ep 3...
@Ace - I know it's not different from the Holmes canon, but ep 1 does feel different from the show's mystery-centric formula in that the mystery was.....simpler than usual? I like the more character-driven Sherlock, but ep 2 had better execution than ep 1, on that front - it's better when Sherlock has settled back into his own life. And I expected that the three eps would be connected, that's how the previous series have worked too - now I just have to avoid the Internet and be shocked on Sunday (Monday for me) when it happens!
@spi - I know we're getting future seasons so they won't kill off Sherlock or John, but everyone else.....
@Manin - Since the canon consists of 56 short stories and four novels, I think there's still around 30 short stories & one novel for the writers to play around with. Not to mention the other short stories that weren't included for the Season 1 & 2 time period.
Just finished Twenty Years Old and it's so cute. I wanted to see how they got back together, but the ending left me quite happy so I don't mid so much now how it happened.
They do toss in offhand references to several of the stories as past cases, though even with that they've still got a lot to work with.
Twenty Years Old is the absolute cutest. I do wish I knew how they got back together or how her friend got on board (a hint would have been nice) but it's a happy ending so I can live with that.
Loved "Crush and Blush" - she was so terribly awkward and unpopular - they really didn't pull their punches with that story! But yes, it was the GHJ - SW pairing that made the movie for me!
I know - I wasn't expecting them to go there, but somehow those two (GHJ and SW) kept me watching. They're both just SO good, GHJ really does seem to bring out the best in actresses as well as actors, when they're the primary character paired with her (first Shin Mina in Sisters on the Road, now SW)
Hi all. am behind on my drama watching last week because i was on holiday (laos - really beautiful place and people). but in a day managed to catch up on YFAS, warm word, golden rainbow and let's eat! :P
i LOVE warm word A LOT!! SO SO GOOD. great dialogues, great layered characters and actors doing a fine job. OOh, actually havent done epi 10 yet! so, i have something to look forward to tomorow.
also really like the characters and the story behind let's eat.
YFAS is very very addictive and it is true, i think, that JJH is stealing the scenes. it doesnt make me feel as much as warm words and miss korea does but it is the most addictive of the lot.
am also enjoying the jung il woo - uee moments in golden rainbow.
CANT wait to squee for INR 3 and want to start on can we love as well!!
I adooore YFAS and the OTP has great chemistry, but it's definitely a case where I'm much more into one character than the other - and for me, that character is Song-yi. Jeon Ji-hyun just owned that performance from the moment she appeared onscreen in ep 1, she's really firing on all cylinders to show us just why she's such a star and I love it.
Min-joon, though, is amusing but I'm finding it harder to get into him. And that annoying Destiny OST does not help!
re: Golden Rainbow - they have such great chemistry, even if I'm not quite feeling Uee's character/performance that much. I watch that show with my finger firmly on the fastforward button - can't wait for them to kiss, they teased us way too much with the 'dream' last week, lol.
oh but it is looking like its angst time first for them. i like how blur uee is when she is around il woo's do young. and he teases her mercilessly although now things are getting serious.
yeah, I adore the teasing too - it's a cute change from the usual bickering romance of kdramas.
re: angst time, I suppose it was coming, this drama is a makjang after all. Though I couldn't care less about that fishery or plotting chaebols (kind of interested in Chun Won/Do-young's hyung, though, will they pair up for real?)....all I want is for JIW and Uee to have more skinship and kissing, whether it's angsty or not. At least when she's around him, she's better.
yes, that was what got me through the 10 episodes of setup which was, to me, full of unbelievable coincidences and sterrotypical characters. both do young's and baek won's interactions and how much he already adored her and was constantly showing it too. so sweet.
You know what i love most about seo do young? How good he is in reading everyone's character. He read yoon ha bin/chun won so well and saw instantly how like his father she is. And he read baek won and saw how she was someone who would always protect her family. I loved it when he told ha bin that.
UEE isn't bad, but Jung Il Woo emotes enough for both of them. He's spot on in his characterization, I love that even though he plays a goofy character, he's as sharp as a tack and when he doesn't hide his intelligence, he's a sexy as hell.
Angst and conflict were introduced in ep. 19. I can't wait to see how it plays out. Personally, I fell that Angst and Conflict (note the Cap letters) could be cut out of most Kdramas if the characters would just be honest with each other. I won't say anything more spoilerish than this here, but I can't wait until ep. 20 to see how things play out.
Your comment on Jung Il Woo is spot on. His character has many layers. I often scratch my head wondering why pairs in K drama land attract each other or keep having one sided love because the pairs's character development is not good enough. In this drama, I can see why they are attracted each other and I can see their kindling fire will become a big spark( hopefully very lasting bonfire), romantically. I cannot find any better actor who can play DY other than Jung Il woo.
angst and conflict was inbuilt in this drama - no way of escaping! it was heartbreaking when do young asked baek won "can you really not know my heart?"
il woo is really good at playing characters that need to straddle extreme emotions and personality traits, playful, flirty and teasing and then suddenly serious, deep and as you said, sharp as tack.
Hi Enz,
Just come back home 2 days ago from two and half weeks travelling Malaysia. Seeing a giant size picture of Ha Yeon Soo (Na Jin a from the Potato Star) on a huge pillar near the Express train departure gate at the Central Station in KL, reminded me of you and your recommended viewing. I have found Potato Star watchable, but not addictive. I’ll catch up gradually now that I’m home. I’ve caught up with Empress Ki, Prime Minister and I, Bel Ami and You from another Star, all of which I’ve found the characters very entertaining.
Let's Eat!
Haven't seen this week's episode yet but how devastating was DaeYoung's face when he confronted SooKyung in last week's about reporting him? He seemed so hurt and betrayed. :( I hope this will be the thing that pushes her to stop suspecting him and holding him at arm's length and let him into her life on more positive terms. JinYi continues to be adorable and that little interlude with the friend's son falling for her at first sight was adorable. Puppy love, haha. SooKyung had some very nice outfits in last week's episode also - I loved her white sweater. Jinyi also looked lovely. I don't even like tofu but after watching last week's, I'm now craving that and those amazing looking mandu!!! And I already have a weakness for mandu. So much for losing weight this year. Looking forward to this week's episode!
Am watching this week's episode now...and wow...hormones!!!! The shopping scene!! Ah me!!! Major second lead surge...unless something else was surging in my ovaries.
I have to say I'm still kind of suspecting Dae Young even after he reacted like that at the end of last week's episode. I had the same reaction as you to his reaction at the end of Ep 6 though. Doojoonie did well. You should definitely look forward to the ending of Ep 7.
I totally got a dumpling craving too. I have some dumpling wrappers in my freezer actually, maybe I should put those to good use xD
I'm really glad to see that everyone's still having daydreams from YFAS's ending.
Alien Kim Soo Hyun is really taking on the dramaland by storm. I really hope the drama could pass 30% soon. They deserve it.
Maybe the only thing that ticks me off a little bit is the fear that they won't get together in the end and he'd have to return to space. But after that last episode I got this voice in my head "Even if one of them dies in the end I don't care. Just get them as many kisses and skinships and maybe as many bed scenes as possible"
Better milk them when you still can, PD-nim.
Is anyone else as excited as I am for I Need Romance 3? After that new trailer I'm more excited than I ever was and that's saying a lot because I was excited right from they announced the lineup cast.
The storyline sounds, well, warm and the OTP got crazy chemistry to begin with.
You've got Sung Joon and Kim So Yeon and two orphans reuniting as lovers with possible hot kiss scenes and bed scenes thrown in. That just screams out awesome.
And you've also got Little Yoochun in the mix! How great is that?
I AM SOOO GOING TO BE INTO ANOTHER WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME NEXT WEEK WHEN SHERLOCK ENDS!
The 2nd episode was verrrryyyy heartwarming, oh, Sherlock's speech was downright awesome. I just read in the internet somewhere that the ending for season 3 might be an even worse cliffhanger than season 2's was. Oh, be strong, heart.
This is INR, honey. There will definitely be kiss and bed scenes. So anticipate that! I'm really looking forward to this season. I liked the previous two a lot but this one looks like it's keeping what was good about the old ones and adding some new fun elements (like a guy in the gang!) to shake things up and keep them fresh and the main couple have a LOT of chemistry. This season looks very steamy.
Seeking a Historical that has comedy and romance or action with less court intrigue. I liked Faith, GuFB, Moon that Embraces the Sun, Sungyunkwan Scandal, Arang & the Magistrate, Tree With Deep Roots, Iljimae, Jeon Woo Chi, and Chuno.
I'm going to give Can We Love? a try to see if I can fall in love with Umforce. Plus it has Kim Sung-Su (Full House), Shim Hyeong-Tak (Let's Eat), and Park Min Woo (FBRS).
I used to hate sageuks but The Princess' Man really turned me around. Even if it's filled with so much political intrigue you're going to enjoy it. Because it's meaty and the you'll root for the OTP as if they're your own and keeping the apart felt like the world's doomed.
I stalled halfway thru Princess' Man because of the political intrigue. It just left me depressed and feeling like people can be really nasty in war and politics. It was well acted and I always thought I would get back to it *someday* to finish. Not in mid-winter tho' when I am fighting the blues from lack of sunshine. Even my love of Park Si Hoo couldn't get me thru Princess' Man.
I'll just have to wait for PSH's new Chinese film Scent.
I so want to watch Tree With Deep Roots. Also Warrior Baek. I really liked King's Daughter Su Baek but I couldn't take the switched baby birth secrets. That kind of stuff bothers me no end.
Yeah, I marathoned "Tree With Deep Roots" recently as well. It was pretty good, but really heavy fare, I felt drained when I finished. And (SPOILER) the writer had to pull a Princess Aurora in the last episode to get rid of most of the main characters - seriously lessened my enjoyment of the drama as a whole.
I understand that your point in King's daughter. I take some comfort in knowing that the King did it for the safety of Prince and this plot line is necessary to make the story more complicated. I really like the drama more than Empress Ki because one cannot guess what would happen next and somehow in King's daughter everyone is not upfront and every one upholds his/her thought/doubt/agenda. We, viewers have to guess all the time and I am quite good at guessing but this one is a bit hard to predict. Because it is thirty min dramas, the story sometimes progresses rather slow. I like the way how the couple has been building up their relationships,,, it is far more believable.
When I was watching it, I thought it was one of the best sajeuk ever...even though much of each episode seemed to repeat stuff from the previous episode. I still think it's one of the best.
I really understand your point. I sometimes wonder about baby switching because it almost happened to me when I was born.
Spoiler's alert!
I just would like to tell you that many current viewers are impressed with their kiss scenes. We waited for it for so long but it was worth waiting for it. The pairs had much emotion. Unlike other fancy dramas, a kiss was not set up in a fancy background but we felt real and raw.
So I was in a bit of a drama slump all of last semester, but right now I'm watching pretty much everything (and resisting the urge to revisit all of my old favorites), and there are still more new dramas to come! All I can say is, putting together my capstone and keeping up with dramas is going to be crazy, and that's on top of all my regular coursework! I think I'm up for the challenge, though. : )
On to the dramas!
I finally, finally watched Nine. Christmas week was crazy to say the least, so to get away from all the stress, I marathoned that sucker and finished it in three days. It really was one of the best of the year and had a great take on the time travel theme.
You From Another Star - I admit that the kiss was great, but my favorite part from this week's episodes? When Song-yi confronted Min-joon about her shoes. I died laughing. Kim Soo-hyun is my favorite crotchety old man alien. The end.
Prime Minister & I - I hug my laptop after watching an episode of this show, it makes me so giddy. I mean really, could they be any cuter?
Miss Korea - Haven't watched episode 8, yet, so no spoilers please! More than willing to talk about everything before that, though. Like many others, I think, I was expecting a much lighter tone from this show, but I love, love, love that the comedy is tempered with a more mature tone and darker edge. I just want to eat it up like a tasty treat and order a second round. Lee Seon-kyun's character started out as a real loser, but now that he's coming around, he is the most swoony oppa. Those quiet scenes with just him and Ji-young are my favorites because they show that underneath everything, they genuinely care about each other. Also, they're just so cute!
Let's Eat - Haven't watched this week's episode yet, but I love everything so far. I thought ep. 7 did such a great job of high-lighting how far Soo-kyung and Dae-young had come in their relationship, just as it was falling apart. I can't wait to see how Soo-kyung regains his trust. Personally, I want a little groveling.
Deja Vu - This show is crazy and boring by turns, and hands-down the worst waste of a time travel premise that I can remember. And I've seen a lot of time travel shows and movies. Surprisingly, the only interesting character is the antagonist, Yo Xi. I am absolutely fascinated by her, and although she is hateful and I dislike her intensely, I can't bring myself to really hate her. She's lived her whole life with a mother who has actively poisoned her mind and heart, filling her with insecurities and basically destroying her personality. My one hope for this show is that she comes out of it a stronger person who can break away from her mother's insecurities and lead her own life. It probably won't happen, but I'm going to watch anyway.
20's - Short and sweet. So sweet, in fact, it might have given my a cavity, but I loved every minute of it. I only wish we had actually SEEN the couple get back together, instead of just being told that it happened. Ah, well, I guess there just wasn't time. Still, it was cute and Lee Ki-kwang is adorable.
Still watching Will You Love and Give it Away?, although I am terribly behind. I've seen up to ep 21, though, and I'm still really enjoying it. The situations may be a little crazy at times, but I like that, for the most part, the characters are layered and relatable. Now if we could just see less of Mi-joo's dad, brother, and...
Yes, give me more moments with LSK and LYH. Their romance needs to me more prominently featured, given more air time. It's a romantic drama after all. I love that he respects her space, that she can't give him more than what she gives him now, that there is no guarantee she would go back to him. She is giving him too many mixed signals without seeming to realize it.
I agree about the spotlighting of the progress of the relationship in Let's Eat. SooKyung likes to think and act like DaeYoung doesn't mean anything to her but that's clearly not the case. When she found out that he really had a genuine alibi and everyone at the office railed at her for reporting him, it was the first time she's ever seemed honestly upset in the show. You could see that it really affected her and she was super remorseful.
Miss Korea: finally the pace is picking up and things are happening left and right. I really enjoyed the last episode. I can really relate to Ji Young's family natural tendency to protect her from the brutality of the pageant at the same time feeling completely crushed for her if she didn't make it. That was so well done.
The romance has not quite bloomed yet although Hyun Joon shows signs of liking her again. It's so realistically portrayed, in real life feelings come back without any one defining moment. So for now it is one sided although Ji Young is definitely giving him mixed signals. It's probably wise on Ji Young's side to be cautious since she was completely heart broken after their last breakup.
Can't wait for next week. Is anyone else still watching and loving it?
I'm glad it picked up too. I was mostly watching for character interaction before and I noticed that the plot wasnt zipping by like in some other dramas but the last two episodes picked up in the amount of things happening.
I think her family is wonderfully portrayed. I love to watch them when they're being funny and when they're being really sincere and looking out for her.
Goodness, I felt so much in episode 8 though, I distinctly remember nearly screaming at my screen when those girls cornered Ji Young and started cutting up her pads and everything. I felt violated for her. What's going to happen next I wonder now that she (POTENTIAL SPOILER) hasnt won the competition. I really don't know where itll go next with the company and how thisll effect the romance.
Hi. Just finished ep8 and oh my hearts breaks! *spoilers*. What did the 1st winner drink actually? The translation was 'malt water' and it made me wonder if they can't drink that. I hope she gets disqualified anyway and Ji Young could be 2nd runner up and the underdogs will be happy again. They seriously need a break.
i'm loving this so much.
I am behind on it but am loving it so much. Love oh ji young. Love hyun joong. Love the ensemble cast of desperate people in desperate situations, trying everything to survive.
Best quote "there are no breasts that are embarrassing. All breasts makes the heart flutter.' Something like that. Funny and poignant at the same time
This is my first time on an open thread. Hello everyone!
Is anyone watching potato star? Its funny and I love it and want to gush about it to people :)
So glad hulu is streaming it subbed but they're very infrequent. Are people watching it on another site?
Welcome, magnus! i like Potato Star and catch it on gooddrama dot net and also mykpopnote dot com - which, by the way, has tons of stuff on it (subbed and raw, it can be overwhemling). It is the only place I have found subbed Laws of the Jungle with Chanyeol, so cute!) Most of the stuff I watch, though, is on gooddrama dot com or viki dot com (although viki has become more difficult to maneuver, not sure why-not as user-friendly). But, as I mentioned in my post, the subbing schecule has been rather inconsistent recently, which is not a complaint because I totally realize it is volunteer and I so appreciate that, but as far as having a 'regular' watch time - it's been off.
Magnus, i LOVE potato star and when there werent so many dramas to keep up with, i love it enough to watch RAW! But ive stopped that coz i am following too many and enjoying them all. But ya, potato star is excellent!
Honestly if I found the show during my break I would've been watching RAW too. I feel the love that causes me to watch RAW episodes of dramas the second they're uploaded for PS. But then the new year rolled around and brought all these great kdramas. Theres so much on my plate now! I think it's a great start to the year so far with more to come (I Need Romance 3!) :) especially since last year wasnt a great drama year for me.
Hi magnus. I started Potato Star on Hulu+. Only seen about 4 episodes, but it's cute so far. Don't know if it's available on another site or not, sorry. tvN has probably aired about 60 or so episodes (started the last week of September and airs M-Th), but I guess we'll just have to be patient and take what we can get on Hulu+.
I find myself grumpy and taking it out on the poor innocent dramas that are trying to entertain me. Lots of fits and starts with trying to find something to watch.
Example: I thought it would be nice to see some more UhmForce, so I started watching Fight. I made it 3 minutes. HE"S DEAD!!!! Sorry, but my new requirement for watching a drama is that the character has to be alive. Dropped that like a hot potato. I know logically that there has to be some explanation if I was just more patient ... but I'm too grumbly to be reasonable.
I'm much cheerier in the Spring. It is coming soon, right?
Now that you mention it, JBB, I said to a friend one evening that I was grouchy and couldn't pinpoint why. Maybe cabin fever, or I think it might be because I have to decide on that other pt job situation, and I'd rather not actually have to think about it at all. Plus Christmas has come and gone, and I miss my family that lives away. But it is super sunny today (blinding, in fact), lthough cold, so I think I'll head out for coffee and a little drive with my little nanny charge in tow. Nothing blows away the grouches for me better than a out-of-the-city ride - I love driving on long stretches with only scenery on the horizon and the sky. A mountain ride is even better.
Total drama requirement - live actors :). Maybe the heaviness of Woman is why I just can't do the last 3 episodes - is it because I'm grouchy or that watching it made me grouchy?
Springtime in the Rockies - I'm wit'chyou on that!
Hello.
Finally the drama I had been waiting started. It's Can We Love with Uhm Force. Only 2 episodes aired but I like everything about it. It is well written, acted. I think you people should give it a try.
I am also watching Prime Minister and I. I finished episode 7, and i enjoy it a lot.
I do know that you didn't have to watch 1 to watch 2, so I'm guessing that 3 is independent of 1 and 2 ~ I can't wait! I did enjoy 1 a lot and 2 pretty much.
Just saw the preview of epi 8 lets eat and am excited that the two worlds of my dramas are colliding :) sang woo in his character in warm word is coming on lets eat looking for a divorce lawyer! Cant wait.
Haha! Saw it too. I am sooooo curious what they will do about that. Looks like we are in for a funny twist on Warm Words. BTW, I noticed that the scary medium from Master's Sun appeared as a fortune reader in WW. Seems like a little trend.
Just started my last semester at University, which is extremely bittersweet. But! I'm going to Japan this summer, and my roommate and I should be hearing soon (I hope) if we get to study abroad for an extra semester in Seoul this fall!
Anyway, on to dramas, etc.:
Finally got around to starting School 2013!
First impression: sooo many familiar faces!
Second impression: wow, Kwak Jung Wook has changed significantly for every role I've seen him in. And it just emphasizes how tall the entire cast of White Christmas was, because he's not actually as tiny as he always seemed in that.
Third impression, now that I'm 11 episodes in: well, it didn't take me 11 episodes to figure this out, but Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin are just electric together. Seems like almost every time they're on screen together, I find myself holding my breath. (I think after I finish, I'll have to re-watch that episode of Running Man that they both guested on.) It's really refreshing, too, to have a drama primarily about friendship instead of romance, because love really comes in all different forms that are just as compelling.
Finally, I love how there is so much attention given to the side characters (especially the kids). They're real people with real goals and problems, and I just want to hug all of them.
Running Man: Between wanting to finish School 2013 before I Need Romance and Age of Feeling start next week and a terrible internet connection, something had to be pushed back, and this week it was Running Man. I'll catch up over the weekend, though.
Cool Kiz: Another great game (and win)! They really found something great with basketball, though all the near-injuries over the last couple of months were really starting to worry me. So excited to see the badminton team back next episode!-- I hope most, if not all, are able to be there. But sad that Changmin's dropping after basketball is done. :( Considering he's the reason I started watching in the first place, it'll take some getting used to him not being there -- reminds of when I ran out of Running Man episodes with Joong Ki in them.
Sorry to have to say bye to Changmin too. It was cool to see John Park get newcomer of the year award and he is growing on me at a rapid pace. Do we know who will replace Changmin? I feel the same way about Chanyeol leaving Laws of the Jungle because of EXO's schedule (He is being replaced by Suju's Siwan, so okay, that works). I'll miss his super cuteness and long lean-ness, though
oh my gosh! Changmin left? HE was so sweet...and so afraid of getting hurt. But...they gave a goodbye cake to jeongjin when jeongjin left...did i miss the Changmin goodbye cake?
So, Pretty Man (Bel Ami) ends. I was going to give it a 5 out of 5 because I love the plot and the lessons learned from Ma Te's experiences and the ending wasn't bad but something kept nagging at me. I realized that even after ep. 14 Ma Te's affection for Bo Tong was more cerebral than emotional. Seriously, they lack chemistry. She has more real chemistry with David Choi than she does with Ma Te and a hell of a lot more skinship overall.
I mean after 14 episodes Ma Te finally gives her a hug? And a kiss in the last scene of ep. 16? My sympathies turned to Ma Te after he learned what a b**** he had as a mother, but even that was not enough to make up for lack of chemistry in the Oppa-donseng relationship he has with Bo Tong. And the finally introduced angst in the last two episodes of the show - felt kind of inconsistent with the show as a whole.
Oh well. The similarities between JKS's character in Bel Ami and You're beautiful are striking. They both play guys with uncaring mothers,who are emotionally disconnected and distant from their feelings.
Another pet peeve of mine - some viewers may like this, but I really resented how they threw a bone to David Choi in the ending of ep. 16 by introducing him to another wacky character just like him (I saw something similar in FBND), as a sort of consolation prize. So, we are supposed to believe that Bo Tong will never, ever get over Ma Te, but David Choi will get over Bo Tong? What makes her love for MaTe any more special than that DC has for her?
Just ranting. Glad Bel Ami's over though. 'Cause I can't wait for Inspiring Generation next week. I hope it's good!
I'm the type of viewer that the writers threw in a girl for David at the end. I was so head-over-heels in love with the second lead that it soothed my soul to think he would find happiness later. David will remain a far more vivid character in my mind than the Pretty MaTe.
Arg I just finished Bel Ami/ Beautiful Man. Okay not the greatest show ever but it was solidly written, and the acting was good. I had fun with it and it also gives me some food for thoughts some time.
So after going nearly half a year w/o watching any current dramas (Good Doctor was the last one), I decided to check out the new ones from this month and the previous. Rom-coms had been seriously lacking last year it seemed, and there's quite a number of them right now... Unfortunately, I can't seem to want to watch any of them past episode 1! >_<
Am I missing something? Because I tried You From Another Star's first episode and...it felt scatter-brained. Like, what type of show do you wanna be? A genre show? A rom-com? A satire of the entertainment industry? A story about lonely people in an apartment building? I think for a first episode, it should have stuck with a more clear theme. But, everyone seems to love it and I only saw the one episode... It's always a bit of a downer when everyone loves a drama that you can't seem to click with.
I also checked out Miss Korea's first episode and I was digging it...until the extended flashback in the second half of the episode. I dunno why that is. But, the two main characters suddenly came across rather shallow to me in that scene and I was put-off. Or rather, the main girl did. Yeah, she's pretty, but her personality and characterization right there were not attractive to me. Agh, and I was liking it up until then.
I did watch the first TWO episodes of the Prime Minister & I! And Can We Love?! The former is extremely light and fluffy - like cotton candy; the latter is interesting with a cast of characters whose lives all seem to be interconnected in some way and are all burdened with some angst. I'll probably get back to those two, because they entertained me and didn't give me any weird feelings of "I-feel-like-I'm-supposed-to-like-this-but-I'm-not-what's-wrong-with-me."
After feeling disappointed that none of the shows hooked me, I've gone back and started rewatching Greatest Love & Protect The Boss for the umpteenth time (my two favourite rom-coms of all time). Anyways, that's my weird rambling rant(?). Should I give some of these shows another shot? Or should I not push myself if I didn't feel anything from them?
The thing about Protect the Boss is it has a rare combination where you care about all of the characters. I rewatched it over Christmas and found I didn't want to skip anything.
After being burned by some dramas, I'm starting to wait so I can just marathon them if they turn out to be good. That gives me the added bonus of not having to wait between episodes.
The thing that surprises me about the current crop of rom/coms is that people seem to have a wide range of reactions to them. Some LOVE LOVE LOVE one, but are meh about the others. Some HATE HATE HATE one that triggers a strong reaction. Others are BORED, finding this one or that trite, with no characters to latch on to emotionally.
I just keep comparing the rom/coms and finding it fascinating that reactions are so split.
The tone of these dramas does range from light and fluffy to gritty realism.
I think the dramas that work for us viewers are the ones that emotionally resonate. Forming that connection is as unique as falling in love and dependent on where we are coming from.
Keep the faith. Dramaland will make more dramas, so the next true love may be just around the corner for you. In the mean time, nothing wrong with rewatching a favorite like Protect the Boss or Greatest Love. My favorites never fail to leave me feeling warm after every viewing and those 2 are on my short list of favorites too.
Hi Beanies! This week I did some catching up on everything in my life. Feeling pretty accomplished right now.
Dramas Pretty Man -- Did Ma Te forget how to kiss? Did one of the actors have the flu and didn't want the other to get it? I mean, if I had been devoted to a man for ten years and he FINALLY kissed me with that kiss, I would have totally Friend-zoned him.
Priminister & I -- I think that preview scene where he gives her flowers is just a dream sequence she will have. I hope not, but that's the way this drama has been going. Please writers, don't ruin it for us.
Downer, I mean Downton Abbey -- I loved S1 and S2, but S3 started killing people off. I do think the actress who plays Mary is magnificent. Her grief was so real. ANYWAY, why is is okay to talk with people (around here) about Downton Abbey, but as soon as I mention a K-Drama, they roll their eyes? I would love it if my mother or sister would watch a K-drama so we could talk about it instead of Downer Abbey.
Running Man -- I don't watch this regularly, but I just caught the recent one with Lee Seung-gi as a guest. The thing about that show is I find myself howling with laughter at it. It's silly, really, but it stimulates my endorphins.
I agree with the part about Downtown Abbey. My sister is a huge fan of it and Jane Austen type stuff but she has never tried a kdrama and can't see why I am so captivated by them.
haha Donwer... Well, I watch both kdramas and Downton Abbey. In kdramas, family members insult one another at the dinner table with flapping arms and oh-so-loud voices shouting, "Do you want to die?" in England, they insult one another with painfully snide comments in between, "Would you pass the salt?" and a dignified, "Will you be accepting the invitation to tea on the fortnight?"
I watch kdramas and Downton Abbey (past and current seasons).
"Running Man - I don’t watch this regularly...The thing about that show is I find myself howling with laughter at it. It’s silly, really, but it stimulates my endorphins."--ktiep
I totally agree with your description/summation of the reaction/mood that one experiences after watching an episode of Running Man.
People roll their eyes at me when I mention kdramas until they sit down one day while i'm watching one and get HOOKED. They are the ones that start pestering me to put on the next episode!
I'm fairly new to the dramaverse, closing in on 9 months addicted to Asian dramas. I've watched about twenty so far and have managed to get my husband addicted to them too!
The project that I'm currently working on is a story based on what I love about dramas. I've titled it Heart Murmurs. It is a work in progress and a story that is totally just for fun! I'd welcome suggestions, helpful critiques, and advice.
I adore Man From Nowhere (Ajusshi), Chaser, Ong Bak Warrior, and 13 Assassins for some rousing action films. I loved the car chase in Confession of a Murderer. Girlscouts too has a lot of action plus humor.
So what would other folks think are great Asian offerings to share with the man you love?
“So what would other folks think are great Asian offerings to share with the man you love?”
You would be surprised - my husband LOVES 49 Days and he is currently live watching You Who Came from the Stars with me. He actually could not wait for the next episode and he had to tell me to hurry up and catch up since I was behind 2 episodes! We watched one of Jeon Ji hyun movies (Blood the Last Vampire) a while back, and I didn’t even make the connection until he pointed it out to me. We have a pretty wide range of preference in movies and shows and can watch melodramas but not too overtly dramatic shows. I’m really more of the drama watcher while he is the movie watcher.
Looking thru our Netflix queue for Asian movies and from the top of my memory, him and I have watched these Asian releases: Oldboy, The Host, The Ring, Grudge, Ninja Assassin, Ghost (the Korean/Japanese version), House of Flying Daggers, Heaven’s Postman, Infernal Affairs. I’m sure there’s more that I’m forgetting but these are the ones that stuck with me for now.
LOL - I should tell him this when he sleeps in on the weekends and leaves me to do housework and take care of little one ;) Seriously though, we both love movies and tv which connected us in the beginning.
Jaime - I clicked on your main blog post... all i can say is GONG YOO OPPAaaa! I can't say OPPAAAAA very much for the crop of gorgeous guys coming out of S. Korean entertainment, so I say it as much as I can when applicable. But I'm all for Noona fangirling for sure ;)
The hubby and I have watched Master's Sun, Vampire Prosecutor 1 & 2, I Hear Your Voice, and are currently watching Mr Girlfriend is a Gumiho. We've got City Hunter, Good Doctor, School 2013, and Future Diary lined up for our next dramas when we finish Gumiho.
We've watched all the movies the both of you have listed! That's how I got him interested at first, was through Asian movies.
Mashimom, that is exactly why I created the Oppa edition on my blog. It is rare that I can call a drama-crush Oppa and when I am able to I want to be sure to shout it out to the world!
why is it that when two characters of the opposite sex hug, the male has his arms around the girl, while the female just has her hands idly at her sides?
I can understand when the male kinda forcibly hugs the girl and has one-sided feelings for her (since it happens often), but what about those times when both characters are in a relationship and she STILL does that?
Sometimes I'll see the girl hug back or even initiate the hug (that's crazy, I know) but I'm just curious to know why the girl is mostly just...unresponsive. It's just something I've observed, what do you all think?
Umm. this is just a thought. But perhaps actresses don't want to appear too forward and tarnish their image so they kind of hang back and let the guys make all the moves since they don't get the same amount of scrutiny. Does that make sense?
I assumed that the girl is shocked or overwhelmed. I think being timid at first is OK for some female characters, but I get all swoony when she is ready to respond too and wraps her hands around him so it is obviously reciprocal.
If I can reach far back into my innocent past, I responded more like a shy, blushing girl from In A Good Way. I am attracted to the innocence Korean dramas portray. I'd like to believe there are still some people in the world who are virgins on their wedding night.
I read about the Pop Ko Chum Law Drum Dance with it's supposed seductive effect on the audience. There was reference to some 16th century monk getting seduced by a giseang with that dance.
So ... has it appeared in any drama?
I have a vague memory of a girl peeking over a wall and spotting a woman with a monk, but didn't see the dance in that drama. I think Gu had someone learning to play the drums, is that it?
At this point, all Korean folk dances look the same to me, so I need some educating. I found a list of folk dances at the Korean Performing Arts Center, but it didn't list the Law Drum Dance.
Me watching IAGW too!!! I haven't been watching T dramas for quite some time so it took me the first few episodes to re-accustom myself (from the K drama setting) to the vibe/lighting etc of the show. Then the rest is history. I won't say that the show is trying to achieve anything new, but there's this simplicity/lowkeyness/heartwarmingness/cuteness of the show that really got me hooked. I am LITERALLY beaming from ear to ear during each episode. Not even YFAS can do that to me.
Miss Korea fans, can we discuss about Director Ma's fur glasses? LOL
But really, the serie is getting better and better to the point I am feeling so anxious while watching, I don't want it to finish. I really want the week to go faster so I can see what Director Ma is going to do about the girl who drank the malted water, is she going to reveal it to the press??? does it mean that the girl is married?
I can even imagine that gangster going crazy in the next episode, ugh I can't like his character.
i just have one question regarding the sageuk dramas about iljimae...
lee jun ki's iljimae and jung il woo's iljimae have nothing in common except for the hero right? like, for example, jung il woo's iljimae isnt a sequel to lee jun ki's right?
i was just wondering because ive been wanting to watch the return of iljimae for a while, but wasnt sure whether it was a "sequel" of sorts...
They are nothing to do with each other. I watched both of them. The Return of Iljimae has great cinematography. The acting is good however I personally prefer Jung Il woo play a role of a man who has some mischievous/arrogant behavior,, ie Cha chi So from FBRS. Here his role is quite serious in his nature.
Wah, I'm so out of it today... Just now I seriously thought "Huh?! Why is there an OT on Thurs- oohhh...!"
-.-"
It's not like I didn't KNOW today was Friday, no... bah...
Anyway, I caught up to a lot of dramas in the last weeks - finished both Heirs and AM1994 and only need to watch this weeks episodes of PM&I and YFAS (erm, is that the "official" abbreviation? xD). Well, I've actually always been up to date with those two dramas, cause I simply LOVE them .<
I'm still terribly behind on Pretty Man, but to be honest, despite all my love for IU and JGS's voice, I'm not really motivated to continue it... I mean, I even stopped in the middle of episode 6 to watch something else, I'd say that's not the best sign ever. :/
In terms of not directly drama related stuff:
My belated Christmas-present-for-myself came on Monday: A Jo Jung Suk calendar <3 <3
I only barely contained myself from squeeing out loud xD
Speaking about JJS and squeeing: The Face Reader will be released on DVD in SK this month, whooo!
(Or is it already out...? Not so sure, but I saw the 24th and the 28th as release dates on Yesasia and another site...)
The best thing is: It has english subtitles, double-whoo!!
I'm seriously considering throwing around money I don't have and buying the fancy limited edition, you know, just to own it, because I'd also have to buy a region code free DVD player to actually WATCH it... xD
Ahh, the fangirl is strong in me!
Buying a little gift for the fan in you, I fully support.
I'm still having a ridiculous amount of fun with my $10 purchase of Hwatu cards to play Go Stop. A bit proud that when Prime Minister & I had the Dad call asking if Godari, Chohan, and Chunghan was 11 points and I knew what that meant.
Ah, I also got (as in: someone else bought it for me :D ) "My Sassy Girl" on DVD - yay for the Amazon wishlist that makes it so easy for everyone to buy that strange stuff! ^^
Oh, and I'm also SO happy that KBS World started uploading 1N2D season 1! <3
They didn't actually start from ep 1 (although they call it that...), but I couldn't care less, it's just seriously funny.
But I love KBS World anyway - and get all my variety shows from there, since they're the only ones available xD
Too bad our satellite dish is adjusted to the wrong satellite so I can't watch it on TV... Though we actually do get Arirang TV (and NHK World) but it seems that always when I remember that we do (and my parents aren't home), nothing good's ever on xD
I want to hunt down and shoot whatever is causing the Database Errors on Connection. With the LIKE button gone, I hoped it would be resolved, but I still get them (although not as often).
Anyone else still getting these errors as of Friday, Jan 10?
Happy New Year!! A week late nonetheless, but haven't been able to post here on OT for the past two weeks due to the "error establishing database." Kinda got peeved because I'd written a stream of consciousness, hit submit and it got lost x\ Here's to hoping that this'll post...and, of course, gonna copy first so I won't lose it this time!
Anyway...I've been dealing with chronic migraines for the past month or so--it's been a drag x/ It's led me to dramatically cut down on drama watching--it's kinda hard to watch when you feel like bashing your head in x/
A Little Love Never Hurts: Why does Jae-min have to continue to sacrifice himself for Mi-ju?? Same goes for Ha-kyung...I don't see any problematic situations, except that their significant others had once dated each other. Honestly, I can't stand Mi-ju...she's been selfish from the beginning, dumping poor Jae-min because he wasn't "up to par." I kinda find it odd that she's in "shock" over finding out that Ha-rim comes from a good family...ugh. I'm also watching this for Jae-min's dad and Mi-ju's mom...normally don't really care for older couples, but I like how their story is developing. Mi-ju's brother and wife are grating and gold-digging his mom, which is pathetic.
Miss Korea: Finally got around to starting this. I've seen up to ep4, and I'm liking it. Yeah, it's shallow because it's dealing with beauty pageantry...but it's at least different from the typical drama material as of late.
Empress Ki: Really got into it from the beginning, but now? Haven't watched the last few episodes. It started to drag for me, and kinda lost interest...especially since now Sung-nyang is a palace maid and not kickass anymore x/
I'll post more later, gotta get back to work ;) Here's to hoping 2014 will be a great year!
Miss Korea is not shallow! It is about a pageant, but if you watch further episodes you'll see, that it isn't about being pretty. There is much more to it: finding your own way in life, setting aims, loyalty, relationships. Also what it means to be beautiful, but as a whole person, not just skin-deep.
What I meant the actual topic itself, not the drama--should've clarified that...my bad. You pointing that out actually made me realize that I missed finishing that paragraph, lol ;)
From the first three episodes, I can see that Ji-young is feisty and fierce (a la Tyra)...and I really like that--yayyy for the continuing trend of strong female leads!!! I like that she has a strong foundation of male figures in her life--Dad, Grandpa, Uncle and older bro--and how Vivi is similar, with Hwa-jung as brains of the op (in the lab), and the back up she has with Hyung-jun, Hong-sam and Kang-woo.
By the way, I'm getting vibes of Pasta from just the music (I'm aware it's the same writer, PD and band)...where Yu-kyung was similar in the way you described--how she finds the five things you mention--finding her way in life, setting and achieving goals, loyalty, relationships and beauty from within. Which is why I'm liking Miss Korea, three episodes in :)
North Texas Beanies!!!
[b]The Suspect[/b] starring Gong Yoo is showing at the AMC Grapevine.
I recommend viewing all Korean Films on the Big Screen asap because you never know when the theater will move them out of rotation. (I missed Face Reader because I hesitated.)
I'm kind of dead from 20 years old. I'm a fan of Gikwang so I would've watched it anyway, but it was way better than I expected. It's the kind of fluffy thing you can watch and feel really cheered up after. I never identify that much with straight girl characters, but I really really liked Hyerim. I really want to see Lee Da In in another role. I also didn't expect proper kissing, maybe they didn't care cause it was originally online?
I've been watching Let's Eat closely every week and I really like the pacing. I thought I would be in a rush for it to turn into a romance, but I like how it's going slowly and staying kind of mysterious. And I really like how much they focus on food. I think I'll really miss this drama when it's over just because of all the food showcasing.
Otherwise I'm trying to decide whether to watch Pretty Man, You From Another Star and Miss Korea. My Korean friends are definitely in the You From Another Star camp. Can anyone watching Miss Korea comment on how sexist it is? If it's super sexist I'll probably give it a miss.
Looking forward to Kim Hyun Joong and Kim Jae Wook in that 30s drama, I hope it's actually kind of gritty.
Also my Korean friends tipped me off about that Superman variety show with the celebrity dads (Tablo, Lee Hwi Jae etc). I checked out the first ep and it's pretty funny :D
And I'm watching all Lee Gikwang's variety TV rn. Anyone want to talk about Clucking Class or old eps of Hot Brothers? lolololol
Miss Korea is by no means sexist. The girl is no cute idiot or helpless damsel in distress, who has got only her beauty going on for her. Sure, she finds hersel in all kind of situations where she is diminished or disregarded because she is a woman, but it is never excused or accepted.
Contrary to what it seems at a first glance - with a beauty pageant in title - it is a very human story. The characters are are well written, their problems are real and relatable. (Personally I like it much better than YFAS - they have problems of people who really have nothing to worry about in their lives and look for any problems to deal with.)
When you watch further episodes, you may see that the drama presents a reasonable and healthy attitude towards beauty, which is surprising in today's Korean popculture.
Miss Korea does not denigrate women. For example, the heroine is surrounded by men, family and potential love interest, who constantly tell her that she is beautiful the way she is, flaws and all. She is also feisty and strong and not obnoxious at all. Another example is in having the head research of the cosmetic company being a smart woman, with a PhD. The only thing you might see as sexism is the notion that wearing the crown of Miss Korea would lead to a better life, elevate your status, etc.. Not sure if this is exactly sexism though.
Am I the only one watching and really really liking Miss Korea in a way it has something in common with Man From Another Star in that I'm a little scared how much I like them so early. I love the women like seriously love them, the men are growing on me but Ji-young, and the other women I love them. Ji-young is feisty and nowhere near annoying, Hwa-jung is smart and cool, Director Ma is awesomeness incarnate, I even love the rival salon director. So far definitely a new level of awesomeness for women in Korean dramas, let's hope it sticks.
Man From Another Star, I enjoy it a lot just not as much as Miss Korea.
Prime Minister and I love it is the closest thing to a coherent thought I have.
Let's Eat I've resigned myself to the apparent fact nothing is ever going to happen and I'm o.k. with that.
I'm a little behind on my drama watching as I got behind over the hollidays and I've only been watching one or two episodes a day so I've got to catch up as I intend to start the Japanese drama Hours of my life as well as the Korean dramas Emergency Couple and I Need Romance 3.
I haven't decided if I will watch Hours of my Life. On the one hand ... Muira. On the other, my Dad died from ALS so it is a subject matter that hits close to home and might be too painful to watch.
I'm sorry for your loss. I've kind of got mixed feelings about Hours of my Life as on the one hand I find stories about ALS fascinating, on the other ALS scares me more than anything else on earth, if I'm going to be trapped like that I want my mind gone too.
I might watch this. Not sure if you should though. Sometimes re-encountering pain is a good thing, sometimes not. I always lose it emotionally when I watch dramas with dying mothers but if I manage to watch it's healing in a subtle way.
![[Cast Away] A psychometric marries his enemy to foil her plans](http://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/castaway_header1.png)
![[Beanie Recs] Dramas about fangirling](http://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/BeanieRecs.jpg)
Required fields are marked *
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1 redfox
January 10, 2014 at 6:11 AM
Hola, hello, terekest (if „tere” means hello in my language, „terekest” is like, howdy!)
I just watched a video of a pastor that set up drop boxes in Seoul and wondered if there was already a movie or a drama about him and the orphans he takes care of? Search „Pastor lee, drop box, Korea” if you like. If there aint a movie, they should make one. But I am not sure how korean people would feel about a drama, say,that displays abaondoned, „special” children like the many Down syndrome kids Pastor Lee has.
Anyway, it seems like it is not just a dramatic effect in dramas, oh I grew in an orphanage, but there are thousands of children who are abandoned and it is a big issue. But usually the heroes and heroines who have the „orphanage background” are impeccably smart, gorgeous, talented and whatnot, but almost never have „imperfections”. So how come they became abaondoned? It usually ends up with a very confusing, complicated explanation or no explanation.
So I was also thinking how many real life issues have dramas actually touched. How much „reality” is in the fictional reality? Are there more things like the orphaned children, or are you not allowed to mention all of that... not talking about happened-in real-life- serial-killers, but social issues specific to South Korea.
One is probably student suicides ... or attempts.
Don´t know.
Anyway,
Watching: not much. I kinda had some troubles with my eyes and blood pressure. I think I need a monitor. I only have a laptop but it is not good for the eyes or the blood circulation. Especially when I am writing, it is such a stiff position. What do you watch from? PC, Mac, monitor, TV? How do you preserve your eyes when you work on the computer?
Still watched some Man From Another Star, wow, a very one-on-one reference to Superman. and now E. T. I really see too little of these references and alliterations to pop culture in kdramass. I wonder if my dream casting for Superman had any magic influence.... for now I like it, and Lawyer Jang too. Ahh that „oh I am just a bystander, never mind me (but I know EEEEVERYTHING about you”) attitude is just so awesome. I have been in his position, it is amusing to tease these couples. Haha.
I am looking for something very funny. Can you recommend one that is funny all the way and doesnt turn into a melo?
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 6:15 AM
and also, is there like no punishment for abandoning a baby? it seems unlikely they dont try to catch the people who do it.
Required fields are marked *
barbara black fox
January 10, 2014 at 6:21 AM
There is no punishment. That's what makes it "safe." You can drop off a baby and NOT get in trouble. Otherwise, a desperate someone might try to "hide" the baby's existence. And I cried too watching the video.
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 6:24 AM
that´s just insane. you can throw out your child like you throw garbage. madness.
Required fields are marked *
kopytko
January 10, 2014 at 6:31 AM
What makes me wonder even more is that the children that are born (in hospitals, I presume) but nbobody asks about their wherebouts. I don't know about the identification system in Korea, but neighbouring ajummas? I would think they know best...
Required fields are marked *
Shadow-chan
January 10, 2014 at 2:26 PM
Mhh, I'm pretty sure if a baby ends up abandoned on the street somewhere, it wasn't born in the hospital...
Required fields are marked *
PeepsLeAwesomePotato
January 10, 2014 at 7:55 AM
I don't understand what you mean by abandon... Do you simply mean leaving babies in dumpsters or do you also include those instances whereby they are placed in those baby drop-boxes or outside orphanages?
Because in my country, leaving a baby in a dumpster or anywhere else alone (As in the parent(s) don't intend to return IS a crime but leaving them with orphanages or other able care-givers is not.
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 8:01 AM
Yeah i do mean in any form. someone should at least ask why. but when it is anonymous, I see it as cowardly. well. if they leave them in good care or not, they should say why. they should discuss with someone, not do it anonymously
Required fields are marked *
Rashell
January 10, 2014 at 8:07 AM
This policy is the same in the US as well. You can leave your baby at any designated "safe" place with no questions asked. It's actually to try to prevent babies from being thrown into actual garbage cans.
This policy has probably saved thousands upon thousands of lives. It may not be something that you can understand or even I can understand, but it is about giving those babies a chance to at least survive.
PeepsLeAwesomePotato
January 10, 2014 at 8:08 AM
*Agrees with you.*
But then again, there are many cowards in this world and if you don't give them an out, they might do the more cowardly thing and of instead talking to someone and leaving the child in responsible hands, they might just abandon him to the elements. Like... just put there and walk away, because they can't handle the judgement or their parents finding out or whatever-it-is-i-don't-know and would rather risk becoming a criminal.
Sometimes, what the parents are as human beings is less important than the welfare of the child. Necessary evil?
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 8:14 AM
yes, I get it. still sad and frustrating though.
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 8:35 AM
I've heard of the'baby box' and the doc about it - though what I've heard is that it's completely misleading and is an inaccurate portrayal of Pastor Lee, who doesn't support no-strings abandonment of children at all.
This came from the blog of a Korean adoptee who knows him personally, and is vociferous on the point that having a box to leave babies in with no official records and nothing, is dangerous - it doesn't account for the possibility that babies might be stolen and left in the box by people who aren't their parents and will basically result in the children losing everything if the adoption agencies don't even know the identity of the people who dropped them off.
Required fields are marked *
Ibiangi (Korean adoptee)
January 10, 2014 at 2:25 PM
This is a post by someone who wrote in response to the documentary. The entire post can be read at the foremost leading magazine that speaks for a very considerable portion of the Korean adoptee community and shed some much needed light on this seriously misleading film. The Korean adoptee community, which is a 220,000 strong community represented worldwide across 16 nations are the now adult (spanning 60 years of int'l adoption) voices objecting this misrepresentation of what leads to more of the same but with even lesser fights to these children than what we grew up with.
QUOTE
Dear makers of The Drop Box,
Perhaps you should change the name of your documentary to The GARBAGE Man, as, even in your three-minute trailer, Korean "orphans" are depicted as unwanted pieces of trash who are only alive because of the benevolence of stranger/savior whose belief in God compels him to care for these unfortunate discardees.
Now, before everyone starts talking about intentions – I know, intellectually, that the film makers probably did not intend to imply or implicitly state that the children in their film are unwanted (read unloved) or are, in any way like, like trash. However, as an adoptee, it's been a while since a movie trailer has made me feel like such a worthless piece of shit. Boy, do I feel grateful that my Korean mom decided to drop me in a box instead of kill me with poison. Good thing the kind pastor has decided to do something about the huge problem, i.e., kids so shitty that their own mothers don’t want them.
Seriously, without addressing or even mentioning the root causes of why the drop box is being utilized or why women in a highly developed nation are compelled to abandon their children in the street, what message does this film trailer send ANY adoptee who sees it?
Towards the end of the trailer, a man asks who will speak for these children. I volunteer and I say – STOP talking about us like our mothers did not want or love us. Unless you have a signed affidavit that clearly states she absolutely did not want to raise us and has no love in her heart for us, you have no right to assume these things about her or us, and tell the entire world that that is the truth about us and our mothers.
UNQUOTE
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Land-of-Gazillion-Adoptees/266367596715209
If anyone truly wants to educate themselves what this is all about, check out TRACK and KUMFA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6sIQhREltk
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 11, 2014 at 11:59 AM
thank you, as always, asking a question pays off. it has all been another lesson for me. thank you all. lots of stuff to think about.
Tulipsaki
January 12, 2014 at 8:58 AM
Thank you for this.
Saya
January 10, 2014 at 6:21 AM
Hi redfox! I was reading about Pastor Lee on Huffpost or somewhere...such a simple, but humane idea. I guess you can't stop people abandoning their babies, but at least those babies have a real fighting chance when they can actually be found.
Sorry to hear you're not feeling too good! I think the only solution for computer-related strain for me has always been 'step away from the machine' and 'go outside' and 'walk'. Bodies aren't designed for such a sedentary life. I watch things via my laptop mostly, but I like to mix it up by sometimes working out on my exercise bike while I watch, too!
I don't have a lot of ideas for very funny dramas that ONLY are funny -- they all have a breath of melo and angst thrown in somewhere! Hong sisters' dramas are good for laughs, but they do have a serious element -- funniest for me have been Best Love, My Girl and You're Beautiful. And you can't go wrong with classics like Dal Ja's Spring and My Name is Kim Sam Soon. And contrary to popular opinion, I found Heirs one of the hilariousest, laugh-out-loud funniest shows in the past year.
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 6:26 AM
yeah I have been walking, even though it is raining heavily here, all the time.
watched all of the ones you mentioned, but YAB is always great for laughs.
Required fields are marked *
enz
January 10, 2014 at 7:08 AM
redfox, you might want to check out evasive inquiry agency - a quirky comedy of inept treasure hunters. has lee min ki if that is enticing to you :)
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 7:20 AM
oh, thanks, I´ll take a look
Will work for soju
January 10, 2014 at 12:50 PM
I second that recommendation. Evasive Inquiry Agency (aka Mixed Up Detective Agency) is my all time favorite drama. It is funny but has some very poignant moments as well. All the characters are well fleshed out and the actors are great. I'm a huge Lee Min-ki fan - could watch him drink coffee all day - but I would love this drama even if he weren't in it. It's by the same writer as White Christmas, btw.
enz
January 10, 2014 at 8:55 PM
oh, i didnt know its the same writer!! i didnt dare watch WC
ktiep
January 10, 2014 at 8:41 AM
I cried really hard atYou're Beautiful. I really loved the ending though. It's definitely a feel good drama, but by no means funny all the time.
Required fields are marked *
August
January 10, 2014 at 7:04 AM
I recently watched and enjoyed White Christmas like you did. I have a few questions for you or others that have seen White Christmas.
SPOILERS**
What conclusion did you reach regarding the character Yoon-Soo? In your opinion, what was the actual truth about Yoon-Soo and his “Mother” memory/issue?
- If Yoon-Soo was happiest in life when his mother would make him pancakes…
- Yoon-Soo’s current Mom tells him that she fired the maid/caretaker because as a child he thought the maid/caretaker was his mom which as a parent hurt the current Mom…
a) Did the parents swap/switch children?
b) Was Yoon-Soo actually the maid/caretaker’s son and therefore, he was adopted by his current parents?
c) Yoo-Soo said, “Because she hugged you instead of me. I must’ve wanted to be you.” Yoon –Soo admits that he lied. Did he lie about the maid/caretaker kidnapping him or that the maid/caretaker was his mother?
d) Was the child with the blue birthmark on his face (“The Monster in the Corner”) actually the child of his “parents” or the child of the maid/caretaker?
e) For Yoon-Soo, did his problems boil down to denial/avoidance of dealing with a false image of his parents and coming to terms with the illusion of the maid/caretaker as a mother figure for him?
f) Are we to take away that Yoon-Soo actually felt like he was “The Monster in the Corner” once the truth came to the forefront... (1) for lying about the maid/caretaker kidnapping him, (2) only having memories of the maid/caretaker as his mother, and (3) not really having any good memories with his mom?
Required fields are marked *
Amell
January 10, 2014 at 7:55 AM
I think the maid did kidnap him but when the police came she ran to her own child ignoring Yoon Soo which created both his desire to be the other kid and his hatred of him. Because of his drug use, isolation growing and other factors in Yoon Soo's mind the boy with the blue birthmark became the Monster In The Corner.
No I don't think the kids were swapped the birthmark is too distinctive.
Required fields are marked *
August
January 10, 2014 at 6:19 PM
@ Patch
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Yoon Soo. :)
Saya
January 11, 2014 at 1:04 PM
Hi August! Sorry, busy weekend keeps me from coming back to OT (sigh).
WHITE CHRISTMAS SPOILERS
To be honest, I wasn't 100% of what exactly happened with Yoon Su, but I wonder if that ambiguity is part of it. I read every single comment of the last ep recap trying to get a handle on it, but all everyone else had was speculation as well - that perhaps he wasn't kidnapped at all, but went along to that ahjumma's house missing her, and afterwards, when he was found by the police, little and frightened, he had lied.
I would say the parents didn't switch kids, there's no evidence of that, but at one point, Yoon Su must have thought his nanny was his mother. The birthmarked child was his nanny's real son.
I also can't say for sure what Yoon Su's 'monster' was for or about. I think it's the realisation that he'd built his subsequent life on the lies he'd told as a child -- and which he came to believe as real. Which you wonder if it was just so he could live with himself, live with the rejection from the nanny whom he felt was more his mother, and also that he certainly had psychological issues which may have caused him to have heightened responses to things other people handle (more) easily, i.e. his exile to and confinement in the school, his reaction to how his peers treat him, and so on. Maybe he's always felt like an outsider, but not in a normal, manageable way, but a really extreme, unbearable way - a nail that sticks out no matter what. And he didn't want to be that, so he took his way out.
In conclusion: I really don't know. But I think that's the point.
Required fields are marked *
August
January 11, 2014 at 4:22 PM
@ Saya
Thanks for replying with your opinion about Yoon Soo. :)
ktiep
January 10, 2014 at 8:45 AM
@ Redfox -- check your display settings. You can probably set them to be dimmer or brighter, which will help your eyes. Especially at night, I have to dim the display (I'm usually watching on my NOOK by that time).
Required fields are marked *
alua
January 10, 2014 at 6:38 AM
They have drop boxes for babies in some European countries. Definitely in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, where they are known as 'Babyklappe'. I think they've been around for more than a decade (in modern times). Other European countries have them as well.
Required fields are marked *
Tulipsaki
January 10, 2014 at 6:44 AM
I wonder how a woman explains going from 9 months pregnant to not and with no child to show for it. My colleague is about 7 months pregnant and there's no missing her.
Redfox, what is your language?
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 7:00 AM
estonian
Required fields are marked *
PeepsLeAwesomePotato
January 10, 2014 at 7:58 AM
Cool! I was in Tallin just a little more than a week ago! Unfortunately, I only had a day there. Hope to return there soon. It was so beautiful!
Tulipsaki
January 10, 2014 at 8:32 AM
Oh, now I remember, you've mentioned that before! Thanks for the language lesson!
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 11:05 PM
when you come to Tallinn again, stop by the Seaplane Harbour, ask for either redfox or Tuuli. if I am at work, I´ll give you a tour.
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 7:32 AM
Estonia doesn´t have them cause we are a small nation and can´t afford throwing anybody away, for one, and also cause the local governments in cities have social workers to keep an eye on problem families. but many children grow in poverty atm and honestly spoken, they would be better off in foster care until the parents find a job. but there have never been abandonment cases. negligence, yes - when the mom s a drug - or internet - addict. usually, children with disabilities receive even more love and care, they have a village called Maarja küla - search and see what they do.
anyway, I guess in bigger countries it is more visible, or european countries with lots of immigrants or something... but really couldnt say
Required fields are marked *
alua
January 10, 2014 at 8:13 AM
I don't see it as 'throwing away'.
It's anonymous and in some countries the mother has a month to change her mind (no idea how that works). In some instances it will save babies that desperate mothers might otherwise kill. There are probably no statistics but I would think it would mostly be used by very young women or those who are/were in extremely difficult situations (domestic violence, rape etc.). From what I've heard, it doesn't get used much at all, a couple of times a year. I would rather this option exist than read about another baby flushed down the toilet (China) or found in the garbage.
Anyhow, don't mean to go too much off topic, so I'll leave it at that...
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 8:27 AM
yeah lets get back to lovelier things.
Shadow-chan
January 10, 2014 at 2:31 PM
Yeah, I also think it's a really good system. Cause let's be honest, if someone doesn't want a baby, they'll find a way to "get rid" of it.
And I can imagine that it must be hard for someone to know that they were more or less thrown away, but I'd say that's still a lot better than being dead.
And I also honestly don't think that it's always the best thing for children to stay with their birth parents. Just look at all the children being starved or beaten to death and so on...
Angelita
January 10, 2014 at 9:35 AM
I'm also curious to know how much kdrama's touch real life issues. I know a few touched the subject suicide but they're usually saved. (At least the ones I've seen.) I know the movie The Crucible is based on real life events, but are there also drama's? Or other movies?
I usually watch shows on tv or a monitor (which is connected to my mac. I don't like watching from my mac's screen it's too small. I need to see Kim Soo Hyun on a big screen while watching Man from Another Star. ;-)
I guess the only tip I can give you is to take breaks when working on the computer, like going outside for a walk or cycling.
Required fields are marked *
2 Saya
January 10, 2014 at 6:12 AM
Hi everyone!
I just suddenly remembered what I dreamed about last night. That I was at some kind of meeting/conference, and met gummimochi and kaedejun, who were hosting. And then we became friends and were on a train (like the one in Harry Potter) going somewhere (Hogwarts? Who knows). I don't remember what happened after that. But I lol'ed to death just now remembering it.
In preparation for I Need Romance, and waiting for new eps of airing shows, I started Prosecutor Princess. And gaaaahhhhh Hye-ri! I'm 2 eps in, but right now, I really, really dislike her. I know I'm meant to, and I know the point is probably that she becomes conscientious and unshallow but GAAHHHH my blood pressure.
And now I am just waiting for the next podcast. When is the next podcast? I want new podcaaaaaassssttttt
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 6:16 AM
my dream last night featured our parliament turned into a dino park
Required fields are marked *
Beng
January 10, 2014 at 6:21 AM
I'm thinking of watching The Great Seer too! I need to know if it will be a good watch. Hope someone can help.
Will also re-watch Sung Joon's kdramas =)
Required fields are marked *
john
January 10, 2014 at 6:28 AM
Great Seer? Stay away. A waste of talent. Slapdash ending and editing.
Required fields are marked *
Kiara
January 10, 2014 at 10:52 AM
I usually tolerate bad sageuks because of my love for this genre and history but Great Seer was a hot mess imo.
Required fields are marked *
Lixie
January 10, 2014 at 6:29 AM
I'm on ep 13 and I still dislike Hye-ri, I mean, dislike is too little, she is probably the most annoying female lead EVER for me. It doesn't help that I hated PP story altogether too of course, but I'll finish, I'm not dropping it on 13 I will finish! After BOF's JanDi it's really amazing that there could a more irritating role but she really took the cake.
The actress didn't annoy me in Two Weeks but she did it again in the INR trailer so maybe I just can't stand her aegyo, makes me want to slap her, it's so phony. Maybe because she has such a mature face? Maybe it's the fake voice? I just can't, lucky I don't care about anyone else in the INR cast so I won't even give it a chance.
Required fields are marked *
Saya
January 10, 2014 at 6:44 AM
Yeah, I watched her in Two Weeks and was sold on her - I LOVED her as Jae-kyung, and I thought it was a fun bit of meta that she'd played a totally different kind of prosecutor before.
But gaaah Lixie, you don't give me hope! I'll probably keep watching, too -_- At the moment, the thing that gets me the MOST about her character is her use of sophistry to justify herself. Nothing she says is exactly wrong when you go by the letter, but it misses the whole point. I had no sympathy for her in her ep-2 humiliation, she deserves all of it, I just want her to REALISE she's a waste of space nitwit. Why won't they just sack her? How did she even qualify? fdslk dfgkdfjlghasdkl
Required fields are marked *
Lixie
January 10, 2014 at 7:12 AM
Do you know I think I pitied her a little in the beginning? I went the opposite way of everyone else and in the first eps I had some respect for that nitwit because at least she stood her ground. Later when she is supposed to become a better person, she just got infuriating for me, stalking a guy and complaining and still being way too annoying. Don't drop it though, stick to it untill midway and then decide if it's worth your time. Let me know in future OTs! :)
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 6:40 AM
Hi Saya how are you?
Your dream sounds better than mine!
Also thank you again for the link for white christmas! I ended up getting told to forget about fixing t myself (from my sister) and got her to download and fix things for me instead. Which has lead to my sister actually watching to show. Which I found out when she sendt me a tex saying "Thanks unni (well, north norwegian equivalent) now I can't sleep" she seems to enjoy it though :p
Required fields are marked *
Saya
January 11, 2014 at 1:09 PM
Ha! Isn't it great to get someone else hooked to things you like? Are you sorted out now? If not, let me know and I'll see if I can help.
I didn't know Norwegian had an equivalent to unni - what is it? I don't think I've come across a European language that does that, only South and East Asian ones. Very interesting! (Or maybe I just don't remember my languages?)
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 11, 2014 at 4:20 PM
It's awesome! Yeah she should have it all sorted out for me. She apparently had all the needed programs and stuff so let her deal with it :p
It's not a thing in all of Norway, but in the north and around the area where I am from we use "Dadda" towards the oldest sister in the family. So it's sorta like "unni", but not quite the same. For a boy we simply use the word for brother;"bror".
I've only ever heard this done in the north though, so its more of a dialect thing rather than a national language thing.
Required fields are marked *
August
January 10, 2014 at 7:07 AM
Hi Saya,
I posted a question to you about White Christmas, unfortunately in the wrong location - 1.2.2.
Required fields are marked *
Saya
January 11, 2014 at 1:10 PM
Hi August, I replied in that thread!
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 8:49 AM
With Prosecutor Princess, the heroine is really annoying at first and just about when I was ready to give up, things turned around and I LOVED the drama. It think it is the end of ep 4.
Required fields are marked *
nxa
January 10, 2014 at 12:30 PM
I hated her so much at the beginning that it completely ruined the first episodes of the drama for me...I only kept on going with prosecutor princess because people had told me it was SO good you wouldn't be able to stop, so I was like ''is there something wrong with me? why don't I like it?'' hahaha but then I got to ep 5, I think, and phew! it got so, so, so much better!!
Required fields are marked *
Rachel
January 11, 2014 at 6:00 AM
I really really want a podcast too!
Required fields are marked *
3 zakin89
January 10, 2014 at 6:17 AM
Happy OT
Pretty Man: I…have no words for that finale…I’ll leave it short or else this will develop in one hell of a rant :P
I loved IU, my heart broke for Choi David (and no that last minute glamping chick didn’t satisfy me at all!) and Na Hong Ran…did not deserve the redemption (at least not like this). And you know what saddens me most? That we get this awesome kiss in YFAS in episode 8 and this half assed lips pressed together at the end of this drama -.- WHAT THE HELL???
Prime Minister and I: The feels! This drama gives me so much of them =) I love the OTP and little MS is a hoot xD One thing I’d love to shout at JK though is: GET OVER IT! It’s been years since your sister died and Yul deserves some happiness again!
YFAS: I still haven’t recovered from the awesomeness that was the ending of episode 8! I can’t get enough of this drama! Wednesday needs to come soon!!!
Variety:
Running Man: I’m a bit torn with this episode to be honest. I laughed a lot because the ‘couples’ that were shown had great chemistry and a lot of fun (I would totally start shipping Ji Hyo and Dong Wook!) but then there’s the problem with the screen time for Haha/Sunggyu and Kwangsoo/John Park. Though I have hope that those two couples will get their time to shine in the second part of the New Year special!
CKOTB: Aww the backstage footage of the KBS Awards gave me the warm fuzzies! And YAY some Jae Suk - Hodong interaction and LOL at Kwon Ryul being there as well :D I am so happy that Hye Jung is actually helpful and not only the pretty lady that needs to be there in a world full of men. And how adorable were Hyuk, SJ and JJ cheering for her when she scored the 3 points?!
Gah how I hate goodbyes on this show… It’s amazing how interchangeable (and I don’t mean that in a bad way) the cast is and yet how I easily you get attached to them that even if it’s for just a few episodes it hurts to see a member leave!
Superman Returns: HAH… note to myself: Whenever I have kids in the future > NEVER go to a Disney store with them always go alone to buy them stuff otherwise you end up nearly broke :P Though I loved how Sarang was just putting stuff into the basket^^
And I can’t get over the fact that Tablo is a huge scaredy cat when Haru is totally cool whenever she meets animals xD It’s adorable!
The backstage footage of Happy Together was great as well and I love how HJ is all “You get to sleep at night” to all the other dads :D
1N2D: Who knew that the shaving of a beard can be that funny^^ I don’t know what was better – Defconn + the barber’s interaction or JY and TH cracking up :D JY is going to kill me with his 4D-ness but I love it^^ The lunch mission…JY feeding the musicians was hilarious^^
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 6:36 AM
I kept Fast-forwarding through Beautiful Man. And I so did not get that we were to like Mr older dying chaebol. That guy with the many children and the irresponsible behavior was always pictured as a kind of noble saint who ...like all rich noble guys married to vicious women..simply should be excused for his little peccadillos. So frustrating to watch his scenes.
And yes, the "still a mother no matter how bad she seems" trope: I wanted to scream.
Oh.....did Ma Te discover his relationship to David?
Required fields are marked *
Mama J
January 10, 2014 at 7:16 AM
And I never felt that way about him at all. There was never a mention of what went on with his oldest son's mother, but presumably he was married to her at some point. Then he began a relationship with Choi David's mother that produced David, and he was with them until David was at least 7 or so? At which point he meets Na Hong Ran and falls so in love with her pregnant, abandoned self that he throws away his EXISTING family to 'protect' her and gives her child to a woman who loved him one-sidedly for years.
Setting aside that I have never understood the logic of a man who would leave his family so that he could start a NEW family...
This was not a good person. He might very well have had a pleasant personality and been interesting to listen to or whatever and he was clearly devoted to the nearly-psychotic Hong Ran, but he was a fuck up of the most royal order.
Required fields are marked *
Mama J
January 10, 2014 at 7:23 AM
And yes, if bitterness is apparent in my email: when I was 10 and my brothers were 9 and 2, my father left my mother and began a new life with a woman who had one daughter. Although he drifted away from us over the course of a couple years, he remained a devoted father to that girl and eventually a devoted grandfather to her daughters, although he never quite made the effort with his three original children OR the daughter he made with yet another woman somewhere along the way.
He died sad and mostly alone at an early age, my father, just a couple of years ago. I loved him and I was there with him because no one should go through their last years alone, but none of his other children would have anything to do with him and it caused him great pain. I thought I was over it, but I guess this drama opened up some not-quite-healed wounds.
For what it's worth, he regretted his life deeply. Watching him was the saddest thing I have ever known.
Required fields are marked *
Mae
January 10, 2014 at 8:42 AM
Big hugs for you
ktiep
January 10, 2014 at 8:52 AM
@JoAnne -- Thanks for putting into words what flabberghasted me about that drama. My father left our family too and posts on FB about his new family and their children and yet has little contact with his original family. Good for you for being with him when he died. Big hugs.
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 7:24 AM
oh good! Someone else who found him annoying. It just seemed to me that the director actually "liked" the character and "understood/easily forgave him." I felt this weird disconnect with the PD because of that.
Required fields are marked *
Peridot
January 10, 2014 at 4:36 PM
That father was the worst. Did he not realize that he did wrong to so many people? He was just as bad as the mother, if not worst.
While I do believe that forgiveness is possible, I hate when k-dramas force it upon us. The elders must be forgiven, even if they do not realize their wrongs or truly apologize for them. I felt sad when Ma Tae apologized to his mother for having been born. I know that his mother had a lot of emotional baggage and hurt but--God--was she wicked!
CaroleMcDonnell
January 11, 2014 at 6:38 AM
@Peridot,
that forgiveness thing did seem forced, didn't it? I mean..I'll accept that stories want to preach but wow! And the selective guiltiness. Seriously! Aren't two people guilty? Then why was the dad allowed to get off so easily? And the "she's crying so there should be forgiveness" bit just upset me. I dunno,maybe I'm just not as forgiving as I should be but the "apologize to the cruel elder first" trope is just forced down kids' throats in so many cultures that even though he was "honoring" his mother I wanted to scream.
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 7:51 AM
Joanne, my father was one of those as well. Still alive, still treating the other daughters with love yet disowned us. And had his last child -- that we know of-- when he was 69. This is one of the reasons why I can't watch stories with adultery (although I'm making it through Wang Family.)
The entire thing with my father has made me so screwed up about men and the abuse they inflict on women that I can get into a real rage when movies even try to validate adultery...or relationships between older men and younger women.
Required fields are marked *
Rashell
January 10, 2014 at 8:16 AM
It's amazing and sad the damage that parents can do to their children. I was so blessed to live in a two parent household with parents who were by no means perfect, but always did their best.
My husband and I are trying very hard to do the same for our two children. My dad always said, and I believe it completely, that the best thing a father can do for his children is to show them how much he loves their mother. I think the same applies to mothers. The fact is that our kids learn what a marriage and relationship is from watching us. We should do our very best to show them something beautiful and true. Because sadly if they see something else, that baggage doesn't seem to ever go away. :(
Peridot
January 10, 2014 at 4:33 PM
@JoAnne, no need to apologize. And I agree with your feelings toward the character of the father. He was a terrible person, despite his calm demeanor and smiling face. He never once apologized to the people he hurt.
@Carole, I'm sorry that you had to go through the things you did in your life. But I am happy, at least, that you found a man whom you love and who loves you in return. I was fortunate to have been raised by two loving parents. I mean my family is not perfect, but my father has always gone the extra mile for his loved ones and he puts family first. He respects women. In his late teens he had to take care of his mother who was dying of cancer and was the main financial support to his father and younger brother. My mother made a good choice for a husband. Her sisters, unfortunately, have not been so lucky. In my family's history, there has also been a great deal of abuse, both of a sexual and economic nature. They were taken advantage by privileged individuals, who used their wealth to get what they wanted. Despite this, I am glad that I grew up in a strong nuclear household. As I wrote above, we're not perfect. But my dad loves all of his children. I truly feel sorry for the women and the children in this world who suffer so much at the hands of the more powerful.
Tara
January 10, 2014 at 9:43 PM
I, too, can't really stand to watch dramas that have adultery/cheating as a theme. Those that especially validate/excuse it are on my never-to-watch-this-sh*t list and gets me in a rage too :/
That's why I'll never watch dramas like currently-on Warm Words (although I've read good feedback on here).
King's Family, as well as its writer's KBS weekender predecessor Three Brothers, had similar "affairs of the mind." I actually stuck through with TB because of its other story lines though. But yeah, that's one of the factors that turned me off enough to drop it a few weeks back (might tune in to see how it ends though).
@carole and @joanne,
I'm so sorry to hear about what you both went through...and you don't need to apologize.
CaroleMcDonnell
January 11, 2014 at 6:47 AM
Thank you, Peridot and Rashell!
And Peridot, good men..are so hard to find sometimes or recognize.
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 8:59 AM
JoAnne. I had the same reaction to the Hong Ran/Dad storyline of Pretty Man. So the son has to apologize to his mother for being born? Pardon me while I puke. David was the sane one for disowning the MG group and finding his own bliss.
Required fields are marked *
Mama J
January 10, 2014 at 10:37 AM
That I didn't so much mind...the apology was not so much accepting 'fault' as it was acknowledging that his birth and existence are very painful reminders of a deep and wounding betrayal by the two people she had trusted and loved the most.
He can't help that, it isn't something he DID..but his existence is painful for her (and I'm not even gonna go THERE because what kind of mother...) and acknowledging her hurt helped 'heal' that a little bit. Also, helped him see her as a person dealing with her own issues, not just a dragon lady.
I am a huge fan of forgiveness wherever possible, mostly for the sake of the forgiver's happiness. If Ma Te could acknowledge her hurt and that, however unfairly, seeing him was painful for her - it could help him move past his own pain.
Mama J
January 10, 2014 at 10:39 AM
Also - you see his bigness of spirit play out with his friend, too, when he forgave that betrayal.
I didn't even realize that dude was the blonde from earlier until then.
But anyway - Ma Te is the 'Bel Ami' not because of his looks, but because he was a person who grew to become beautiful inside.
merry
January 10, 2014 at 11:57 AM
Agree with you there JoAnne. I think i will find these characters memorable. I usually have short memory, but i think the struggle of Ma Te and Bo Tong were honest and real for me. Turning out to be beautiful inside is so much better than 'successful and rich'-- society's yardstick.Though, they did turn out like that with hard work. So, all's well.
Amazing how some dramas indeed touch a chord in us. I rewatched Reply 1997 and as with the recently concluded 1994, it did occur to me several times that things that happened were not just a product of the writer's imagination but occurred in real life, either of their friends or themselves as well. I can't pinpoint specific instances, usually on the hilarious events, again short memory, but sometimes really you can say it can only be really true. I wonder though if the Tony Ahn (he's a current politician right?) story has some truth to it.
candycane
January 10, 2014 at 2:42 PM
interesting discussion... Yes, Fast-forwarding is the key and Carole you nailed it! I have been fast-forwarding to get through all the unnecessary annoying side characters as well. IU has surprised me as an actress, her crying on the final episode was very moving. I hope to see her more in future dramas. Yes, I was sad for David, but the ending is expected. Not very impressed with JGS' role and I have seen his better acting somewhere else. Not sure if I will watch another JGS drama because I'd rather return to watch Beethoven Virus instead.
Required fields are marked *
4 helloharu
January 10, 2014 at 6:24 AM
I'm seriously loving Miss Korea more and more every week. I was literally on the edge of my seat when they were announcing the winners and although I was so completely devo that Ji Young didn't win, a part of me was also glad that the show didn't just take the conventional path (not that it ever has anyway). I imagine that the first place winner will probably forfeit/get kicked out of some sort since she was cheating (?) I'm not exactly sure what she was drinking. Can anyone clarify? Btw I'm totally in love with the soundtrack as well and the last two songs that were playing at the end was just pure bliss - hey wait tonight, look at the light~
Required fields are marked *
evergreen
January 10, 2014 at 7:05 AM
That scene was done really well. Especially Lee Yeon Hee when she was still trying to smile while crying. I loved watching everyone's reaction to it as well.
Both New World and Street of Angels are just love!
Required fields are marked *
hunneybunny
January 10, 2014 at 7:26 AM
Same here! Ahh can't wait for next week! I kept telling Ma Wonjang to do something, anything, lol.
You know I tried looking up that drink thing. It's yut-gireum, which is apparently a malt drink that helps mothers produce breast milk, so I think that means she was using it to make her boobs bigger. I'm not totally sure if that's correct though, and I still don't know why that would be such a big deal when things like breast augmentation plastic surgery are okay. I'm pretty confused too and I was hoping someone here could explain for me too haha.
This is kinda superficial but I thought it made no sense that the drink girl would get Miss Seoul 1st place with her looks lol... she's like way shorter than all the other girls and her face isn't that pretty imo.
Required fields are marked *
meanrice
January 10, 2014 at 9:45 AM
I think you can't compete if you've had a kid or been pregnant, and if she was using it for the actual use of the product, then she would be disqualified.
Required fields are marked *
MapleSilver
January 10, 2014 at 8:50 AM
I heard malt drink is used to stop nursing breasts from producing milk. If this means that she has a baby then she would be disqualified. Either way, we know Ji Young would somehow advance, but if that first place winner goes, Cherry salon won't have any candidate.
Required fields are marked *
hunneybunny
January 10, 2014 at 9:09 AM
Ahhhhhh I see! That makes a lot more sense than what I was thinking, haha. Thanks for clearing it up :)
Required fields are marked *
MapleSilver
January 10, 2014 at 9:55 AM
Wait, now I am confused. Maybe it's used to help in breastmilk production, not in stopping it. In any case, all signs point to her having just had a baby, although she is one lucky woman to have that figure so soon after having given birth.
Required fields are marked *
a_diva
January 10, 2014 at 1:39 PM
malt helps in producing breast milk, not stopping or decreasing it.
Tulipsaki
January 12, 2014 at 8:52 AM
It's got to be for stopping milk. They don't have issues with plastic surgery or pads, so drinking something to make your breasts bigger can't be the problem.
Required fields are marked *
bubbletea
January 10, 2014 at 9:34 AM
Thanks Malory for clearing that up! Like the other posters above, I was also wondering about the drink's significance.
And I'm glad to see others who are loving this drama!
(and with this... I'm going back to just lurking around on this site, heheh)
Required fields are marked *
Saima
January 10, 2014 at 11:43 AM
Totally loving Miss Korea! I watched E8 raw and got teary-eyed with them. So much at stake... :"(
Required fields are marked *
Saima
January 10, 2014 at 12:20 PM
It seems that only Onew's Moonlight has been released officially. I hope they release the two songs that are played at the ending of E8 soon.
Required fields are marked *
evergreen
January 10, 2014 at 10:49 PM
It's been released already. They're called New World and Street of Angels. :)
Required fields are marked *
5 CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 6:30 AM
Hi there, all!
Happy weekend!
So glad that dreaded polar vortex is leaving NY...kinda.
Okay: dramas
Gosh that Inspiring Generation trailer is getting me all excited! Just saying.
Saw the ending of Beautiful Man: Meh, meh, didn't care.
Miss Korea: It's dipping deeper and deeper into the dark side. Not sure if I'll go there with them.
You From Another Star: Beginning to dread that even if this ends happily, it'll end sadly. Wondering also who else might have reincarnated along with Song-Yi. I always feel reincarnations should go in groups..kinda like with Gu Family Book. Still, there are echoes of Song Yi's old Joseon life in her new life and I like that. Undependable mom in both lives, ill-founded rumors in both lives, a murderous in-law in both lives. And of course a rescuer and a possible fiance in both lives. This is really one tight drama. And the epilogs are just so wonderfully cinematic. So far...it's just perfection.
Let's Eat: Still haven't seen this week's episode. But loving it a lot.
Wang Family: I am so interested in the romances in Sedal's family: Mom's, Son's, Daughter's. I just want Subak to get divorced and Minjoong to marry Aunt. The writers have made sure no one in viewerland could see their relationship as adultery. Just so want Not-Mom outta the picture and Minjoong to find out he is Miho's Dad.
Prime Minister: Am liking it but am totally riveted to Chief of Staff's character. I swear! YSY steals every scene he's in and pretty much steals the drama. Oh my gosh, he is such a star now in my eyes!
Loving Cool Kiz and Happy Together, also Love & Marriage 2 and the drama specials on KBS World TV on youtube.
That's about it...I think.
Thanks, Dramabeans for being here for us beanies.
Required fields are marked *
trotwood
January 10, 2014 at 6:41 AM
I am loving Let's Eat as well, although I don't think my waistline is going to. After each episode, I end up going on a a cooking binge. After episode 6, I made pizza dough, marinara sauce, lamb stock, and baked potato soup with pulled pork. I have no idea what episode seven is going to drive me to do! Perhaps I should try to eat something first.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 6:56 AM
Oh good heavens! I'm just falling more into Korean cuisine. Am gonna make Baek-kimchi sometimes next week. Not something I saw on the show but it's a beginning.
Required fields are marked *
Angelita
January 10, 2014 at 10:00 AM
Ha I know what you mean :-)
Though I always make sure I've eaten before watching let's eat. If I'm already full at least I can resist the temptation to cook/eat something a bit better.
But thanks to the show I'm cooking more asian/Korean dishes. ^^
Required fields are marked *
Waiting
January 10, 2014 at 2:56 PM
I make sure I eat before watching or else it's sets off insane cravings!!
Required fields are marked *
monologue
January 10, 2014 at 3:12 PM
I pigged out on instant noodles a couple of times while watching Let's Eat, and now my brain associates it with them. Every time I sit down to watch an ep now I'm like why do I suddenly want noodles? Whoops.
Required fields are marked *
aznative
January 10, 2014 at 6:05 PM
Clams, oh the clams. They were feasting on grilled clams (and oysters I think) and I just love the photography/closeups of the food scenes....the clams yawning open when they're cooked....oh how I wish I lived closer to the ocean and could get really fresh seafood!
Required fields are marked *
Mrs.Jang Guem Suk
January 11, 2014 at 5:35 PM
Hahahahaha I love this its like A Let's Eat Rule - Rule 1 Eat till satisfaction then watch Let's Eat LMBO
Required fields are marked *
Sue
January 11, 2014 at 5:43 PM
I was full when I started ep 7, but I still ended up eating some ramen along the way. I wonder how much weight the actors will gain from this show. This is the only show where fans will probably not send food trucks. Anyway, it looks like next week's ep will start focusing more on romance. Looking forward to it.
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 7:41 AM
YSY does steal every scene!
Required fields are marked *
aznative
January 10, 2014 at 6:07 PM
YSY is a very charming guy. Miss seeing him and the interaction on "Barefoot Friends", the show was okay but I really enjoyed watching everyone talk about food, eat, and then take it to a friends house to share.
Required fields are marked *
August
January 10, 2014 at 8:25 AM
Hi Carole,
It was nice to see Jang Keun-Suk in a drama again. I thought IU did a nice job in Pretty Man [AKA Bel Ami / Pretty Boy]. This was my first time seeing Lee Jang-Woo in a drama and I enjoyed his character David Choi. I am glad that I was immune to Second Lead Syndrome with this time around...New Year's Resolution - Fighting / Hwaiting!
So far, I am enjoying Miss Korea and some of the societal/gender issues that it has touched upon.
So far, my favorite shows airing right now are You From Another Star, Thrice Married Woman, and Let's Eat. I feel satisfied and fulfilled after each episode. I have to make sure that I have eaten before I watch Let's Eat.
I am struggling with Prime Minister & I. I love Yoon Si-Yoon as an actor and am only still watching for him as Kang In-Ho. I am not sold on the romance between Kwon Yool and Nam Da-Jung. Their bonding leading to romance scenes never feel organic or natural - they always seem to come across to me as manufactured and contrived. My stomach turns/feels tied in knots and I always end with a feeling of disgust after each episode of watching them inch closer together toward each other.
I am watching One Warm Word [AKA A Word From Warm Heart] just for Lee Chae-Mi... to see and get a glimpse of her in another role after Two Weeks.
Required fields are marked *
wan2tree
January 10, 2014 at 8:48 AM
I agree about Prime Minister & I...it all feels mechanical, much like going through the motions without any heart. I haven't watched the latest episode and am probably dropping it. Also…although age-gaps don't usually bother me, Yoona does have a very child like appearance and at times that made seeing the main couple together a little uncomfortable…she looks like another one of the kids. Also doesn't help that YSY looks pained the whole time- he was the biggest reason I kept watching. I'm glad some people like it as it's nice to like things but I guess it's just not for me.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 9:21 AM
I'm sold on the Prime Minister's romance but it's boring and predictable, albeit very sweet. Chief of Staff's choices, healing, and redemption is what I'm interested in. Whatever they do to keep the OTP apart, doesn't matter.We know they'll get together in the end but the intrigue, the planning, the scheming, the emotional investment of In-Ho..that's what gets me hooked. And Madame Na. ;-)
I couldn't marry woman who married Thrice. I keep thinking the idea of divorce/remarriage would be bothering me.
I get this sense that Miss Korea is going to be very dark and painful at certain times and although I totally love it, I find myself backing away from the stress. Will see if I dive in again.
The actor who played David Choi had a brightness to him, but also a strange touch of gray. Can't describe it but I feel he will be a really interesting actor if he gets the right part. HE seemed to be trapped in two emotions in this drama: supportive glee and moping hopeful lover. I liked David Choi and I came so close to second lead syndrome without actually tipping over into it.
Required fields are marked *
6 korfan
January 10, 2014 at 6:30 AM
Hi Everybody!
I hope you are all doing well.
Doing a "post-and-run" because I've been up for 24 hours and I just need to get to sleep. ...... I'll be back to visit later tonight to read everyone's great posts.
This week's drama-viewing:
Heirs - Just 2 episodes to go. ...... Interestingly, I've found that I understand where Kim Tan's father is coming from. He's right in wanting to light a fire under his second son, who's been for the most part unmotivated and disinterested in things. ....... And that little speech the dad gave him about protecting the oldest son as a byproduct of the younger son getting involved in the business, well, that actually made sense. ...... What's reprehensible is the father's actions ...... and his attitude towards every human being around him is simply deplorable.
A Gentlemen's Dignity - Finished this one! ..... With the help of DB recap reading, I was able to finish watching this drama dubbed in Vietnamese on tv, which I'm not fluent in. This was a new way of drama-watching for me and it was interesting. ....... Unfortunately I never really got very enthusiastic about the drama as a whole. I ended up not really caring about the main couple and whether they were going left or right or here or there. ..... The Yoon storyline was what kept me coming back to watch.
A Warm Word - Just started this one. ...... So far so good. ...... Interesting characters, not always kind or warm, but certainly interesting. ....... And Ji Jin-hee. ..... Oh my goodness, Ji Jin-hee. Can't. Look. Away.
Still watching the Season 1 Appa Oediga episodes on the weekends. Everyone just got the New Zealand trip news, so the next couple of weeks are going to be a total change for the gang. ..... Can't wait to see them explore and have a fun adventure in a foreign land.
Ok, that's it for now. Everyone take care and have a great Friday!
Required fields are marked *
kopytko
January 10, 2014 at 6:40 AM
It's funny how everyone finds something else to enjoy in the same drama. I was all about Do Jin and YiSoo as well as Jung Rok but couldn't stomach Yoon and Meahri. Oh, I also liked how they showed school with prerequisite troublemakers (WooBie!!!!). Though, I must say I wasn't extatic about the ending. The other thing is that as I was watching it in summer 2012 the Olympic Games spoilt the fun because there was a long break in AGD airing and the whoelthing lost its pace.
I had the same reaction about Warm Words: "JJH! Where have you been hiding?!".
Have a good rest :)
Required fields are marked *
korfan
January 10, 2014 at 10:57 PM
kopytko -
It is certainly interesting that how we all pick different things to like or complain about from the same drama! But I suppose that with all our different tastes and experiences, this is to be expected. ...... It's always fun to read the different comments though!
What can I say, Yoon just kind of stood out for me a little more than his other 3 friends. ..... And he was actually more interesting than Meahri. She was just whiny and sometimes annoying with her crying episodes. ...... Jung Rok was the other interesting guy, along with his wife. Too bad the drama didn't really go more in depth with their whole relationship.
And yes, JJH ..... how can you not have a reaction?
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 6:44 AM
Hi Korfan!
Ater 24 hours of being awake you deserve your sleep indeed! Hope you get a good, long and well deserved rest!
Required fields are marked *
korfan
January 10, 2014 at 11:08 PM
Hi Manin -
I did get some sleep. ...... But I need more, I think!
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 7:39 AM
lack of sleep equals a concussion, I hear. be careful.
Required fields are marked *
korfan
January 10, 2014 at 11:15 PM
redfox -
Yes, I'll be careful. ...... I didn't go out driving or anything like that.
Required fields are marked *
merry
January 10, 2014 at 12:06 PM
Where do you watch it (Appa Oediga) from? Are the aired episodes current - are they in New Zealand now?
Required fields are marked *
korfan
January 10, 2014 at 11:28 PM
merry -
I watch Appa Oediga on regular tv, on the MBC channel. I think the episodes are about 4 to 6 weeks behind what's being aired in Korea.
On last weekend's show they were not in New Zealand yet. They all just got the cards notifying them that the next trip is to NZ.
This weekend's episode will show them flying over and arriving in NZ to begin their new adventure. Oh, and I think they're bringing along some of their brothers/sisters on this trip!
Required fields are marked *
7 Ace
January 10, 2014 at 6:34 AM
Love love love You From Another Star. Don't know why *some people* think it's like MTETS. Seriously? Whatchatalkinabout? That ending in E7 was epic.
Anyway, I'm watching E03 of Twenty Years Old. It's short and sweet. Hopefully, it ends that way too.
Also watching for the nth time the first 2 episodes of Sherlock S3 while waiting for the last episode on Sunday. The spoiler free teasers I've read about the last episode makes me scream with excitement but also makes me terrified for some of my favorite characters in the show. When not watching, eating, or sleeping, I'm filling up a folder of Benedict Cumberbatch pics while playing that song in S3E2 endlessly [December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night) by The Four Seasons].
Hope you guys have a fun weekend!
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 6:57 AM
"Twenty years Old" was quite sweet indeed. is there another episode? though episode 3 seemed like the ending?
Required fields are marked *
enz
January 10, 2014 at 7:12 AM
hi manin, supposed to be 4 episodes right?
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 7:26 AM
oh, 20's a mini? I could watch it then.
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 7:54 AM
Yeah it's a mini. Quite cute and entertaining and doesn't take itself to seriously.
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 8:04 AM
A mini with 4 episodes of 20 minutes each. Watch it, Carole, you won't regret it!
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 9:23 AM
will do, pogo!
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 7:34 AM
Ohh yeah I remember now. Huh, well guess we will see what the last one brings about then =)
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 7:40 AM
yay me I still have 3 months till Sherlock.
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 8:05 AM
You don't have to wait those 3 months - primewire is your friend, unless you want to watch it only via broadcast, which is perfectly legitimate.
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 8:02 AM
I'm so glad YFAS is good, it deserved those monster ratings it's been raking in all right. And Twenty Years Old is ADORABLE, I was expecting nothing but fluff but it's hard not to empathise with poor Hye-rim. (really good kissing too - kudos to the writers and both leads for that!)
And this:
Also watching for the nth time the first 2 episodes of Sherlock S3 while waiting for the last episode on Sunday.
Me too!!!! I've avoided all teasers and spoilers like the plague, but I know enough of this show to fear for everyone's life and happiness, episode 2 ended far too happily. And I'm dreading episode 3, not just because of what it could bring to our characters, but because it'll likely be the last Sherlock we have for another few years, and the waiting kills me.
Required fields are marked *
Ace
January 10, 2014 at 8:52 AM
YFAS: I also love the soundtrack. The newest track titled the same as the drama by 태사비애 (played when they kissed) is beautiful.
Sherlock: Well, at least the creators have confirmed a 4th season and they also said they've already developed plots for a 5th one.
Since it's worth the wait, I don't mind it. The cinematography and soundtrack's wonderful. I'd rather have those few quality episodes than watch the neverending American shows.
Steven Moffat's writing His Last Vow and he's really good and will bring back the thrills. Based on those privileged to watch the last episode early, phrases like 'the darkest episode in the series', 'emotionally devastating', 'defying expectations' were thrown out. I'm scared, but I expect some things to happen based on the books. It's how they're gonna deliver that's making me excited. Also, they're gonna do a Marvel and so we've got to wait for some post-credit goodness.
Required fields are marked *
wan2tree
January 10, 2014 at 8:56 AM
Agree! My Love From The Star is no Moon That Embraces the Sun. Although I didn't hate MTETS, it was pretty forgettable for me and I never was never very invested in the characters or story. Meanwhile, I find MLFTS clever and entertaining but it also has my heart and I am very much invested. I think Kim Soo Hyun is doing an awesome job as Min Joon. I totally buy him as the character without him over selling it. JJH is doing awesome as well, obviously.
Twenty Years Old was rather sweet! A nice surprise.
Also loving Let's Eat, and am very excited for INR3…Don't know how I'm going to find time to watch everything as I'm having a busy month. Eep.
Required fields are marked *
8 Manin
January 10, 2014 at 6:34 AM
Hello Beanies and happy friday and ot!
Hope you all are having a good time, I've started the weekend by sampling strange chinese new year candy and wondering how long a box of oranges will keep (so. many. oranges.)
I've also become good at making paper Lilies, make one and suddenly you have 5 kids all wanting one (and 3 demanding paper airplanes..)
And thanks to Saya I have now gotten my sister into watching White Christmas!
Kdrama Toddlers style in which:
-The 5 year olds hospital is going badly and doctors are desperatly looking for new patients to come in ("Is anyone sick?! Anyone?!" - quote the "head doctor")
- The player gets cuddling time ruined by the mean teacher (that would be me) when girl nr. 3 is called up to try and identify the toilet from the sink in the picture. There was much pouting shown. (day 1)
- (day 2) The player is unhappy with girl nr. 4 sitting to far away and gets her to move her sitting pillow next to him so he can hug her and rest his head in her lap. Which leads to...
-... the rival getting jealous and tries to direct the players attention to him self. Though his hugs are sadly rejected.
-Girl nr 4 and the rival also share a fight on the dance floor over who gets to dance with the player . Player observes this looking mildly confused but with a big goofy smile.
- (day 3) player gets ignored by girl 4 (nr. 1 and 2 are absent) and the rival. comens sad looks and longing stares into his water cup. followed by girl nr. 3 And "the occasional sidekick"clinking their all 3 cups together and going "cheers! one shot!" to get him to drink and smile (starting young if good at drinking you shall be?)
- boy R and girl nr 4 share a tongue kiss/smach/touch whatever I should call it. both stick their tongue out and leans forward until the tongues are touching. And by that I don't mean just the tip, the tongues was pressed together. (and this is when the player drops his water cup in the background..)
Actual dramaland
-Priminister and I: plase don't stop being good! So liking this show and that things are said at once
-9 outs end 2 outs: Liked this drama a lot. And I'l take the second (and third) male leads. Though no secound lead syndrom for this drama.
Other than that I'm feeling at a stand still. Don't wanna watch something new, but don't know what to rewatch. So please give me suggestions to your most rewatchable drama?
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 6:40 AM
We could try watching Ugly Alert. That seems to have gotten on a few best of lists. It's about 100 episodes i think but they're about 35 mins each. If you're game, we can do it together.
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 6:46 AM
Hm, what's it about it?
35 min episodes aren't that bad. Haha especially not after Reply 1994's uber long ones. I watched When I watched Hard Nut it hit me "Ah this is what I missed with jdorama's.. short episodes!".
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 6:54 AM
It's a romance and supposedly the writer didn't use the typical drama tropes. Starts with a guy going to prison for a crime he didn't commit...and then supposedly the love story is very real and organic.
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 7:08 AM
Oh this sounds interesting! Especially if there is an avoidance of typical drama tropes. Should we give it a go? Is it available for streaming?
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 7:29 AM
epdrama supposedly has it. Shall we? I'll begin when you begin.
Peridot
January 10, 2014 at 4:38 PM
Plus, it stars my beloved Lim Juhwan :). I feel like I've betrayed him by not watching this drama, lol. I do not have much time, though, especially with school. I might watch it over the Summer. If you decide to watch it now, please let me know what you think.
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 5:24 PM
Okay found it. soooo, lets go for it! I might not be able to start it until tonight (my time) But lets give it a go! :D
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 8:43 AM
re: kdrama, toddler style - I would be slightly scared of the 'head doctor', seems like if he couldn't find sick people, he'd make some of his own!
re: most rewatchable shows - a bunch of Hong sisters shows are highly rewatchable, I really liked You're Beautiful on rewatch, ditto MS. And Vampire Idol is subbed only up to episode 44 (of a total 79 - each episode is 26 minutes) but I really enjoy it on rewatch too, or maybe that's just how much I love seeing Kim Woo-bin and Lee Yubi with actual love interests. It gets a bit draggy when it involves certain characters, but for a daily, it's great fun.
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 5:28 PM
"if he couldn’t find sick people, he’d make some of his own" I agree. He probably could. They have a history of "poisoning" food in that class.
Yeah I've lost the number of times I've rewatched "You're Beautiful". To the point where I've seen it a little to much (also seeing Yonghwa's acting in it after his improvement in Mirae's choice... He didn't seem quite so wooden when I first saw it :p )
Vampire Idol has been on my towatch list for a while but when I got around to start it dramacrazy died xD
Required fields are marked *
shukmeister
January 10, 2014 at 2:00 PM
Manin! -
Fun times for you!
I like to rewatch certain episodes of a show, not the entire thing. The closest I came to recently is "Best Love", where I watched from Ep 4 to the end.
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 5:32 PM
Hi Shuk!
Yeah I do the same. Best thing about having watched Dong YI before is rewatching the scenes you like and jump all the rest. I also have certain scenes that I feel like watching when I get in a certain mood. Like the tango scene from "Scent of a woman".
Required fields are marked *
shukmeister
January 10, 2014 at 7:23 PM
Oooh, yes. The red dress. I like the camping scene!
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 11, 2014 at 7:40 AM
Yes that dress. And the chemistry and tension. so awesome. Camping scene is good as well. I also like the scene where they are on the bike.
Shadow-chan
January 10, 2014 at 2:43 PM
I guess the "most rewatchable drama" title from me goes to Queen In-Hyun's Man - I started with episode 1 again one hour after I'd finished ep 16 xD (and read the recaps ;) )
And usually I'm not on that Must. Watch. Next. Episode! trip when I rewatch, but with QIHM, I watched the whole thing twice in 6 days... So I guess that says everything :D
(And even now I still badly want to watch it again, I just don't have the DVDs right now...)
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 5:46 PM
QIHM is a good one indeed.
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 2:51 PM
I liked Lee Tae Sung in 9 and 2 Outs ... and Playful Kiss .... and even Rooftop Prince. I wonder if the man ever gets the girl.
Required fields are marked *
aznative
January 10, 2014 at 6:18 PM
"Hooray for Love" aka "A Thousand Affections". Maybe he gets the girl in this one...I'm not telling ;)
Required fields are marked *
korfan
January 10, 2014 at 11:53 PM
Manin -
The toddlers!! ...... they even get to have a pretend "cocktail hour" in the classroom! ..... *laughing*
I have to ask, how strange was the new year's candy? Strange shapes, strange flavors ..... or both?
I don't know what to tell you about the oranges. I know they're not as delicate as something like strawberries, but of course they don't last indefinitely. ..... Perhaps they can be used for a couple of baking recipes or something.
Glad you're enjoying Prime Minister & I ..... I keep on hearing good things about it. ..... I'm looking forward to this one in a couple of weeks.
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 11, 2014 at 4:29 PM
Haha yes! The toddlers have a thing for going "one shot" when they have to drink water. They also participate in drinking competitions about who can finish their drink the fastest.
Mostly strange flavours. Like milk candy, and corn flavours (tasted like corn, and looked like corn) and some unidentified thing that I have no idea of. And so many different gel candy things. Including one that came with a coating of seeds.
Required fields are marked *
korfan
January 12, 2014 at 12:10 AM
I'm intrigued by the candy. ...... I may be wrong, but I believe gel type of candies are very popular. I heard once, on a documentary that "gelatin-like" textures are liked very much in food items, both main dishes and desserts.
The corn candy is certainly different.
This is so neat, you get to learn about the food in addition to the language, customs, etc!
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 12, 2014 at 4:03 AM
Yeah I went to a wedding on saturday and they served one rice dish that was covered in a for of jelly/gelatine thing.
And yes they have so many types of gel candy and also mouthfull of jelly that you can buy.
The food is good here most of the time (though some of the food I get in the school isn't always very tasteful or impressive. But food should apparently follow a mix of yin and yang types of food. And you should always finish by drinking soup, especially after dumplings. And drink hot water. That's what I've been told so far :p
9 Maddy
January 10, 2014 at 6:36 AM
Hi guys! i've been wanting to watch white christmas for the longest time now but couldn't find english subtitles for it(soft subs).Can someone please post a link to it?
Required fields are marked *
Saya
January 11, 2014 at 1:39 PM
Hi Maddy, go to last week's OT and there's a link in post #2!
Required fields are marked *
Maddy
January 11, 2014 at 2:05 PM
Thanks a ton,hon.
Required fields are marked *
10 Lixie
January 10, 2014 at 6:40 AM
I have a question about Prime Minister and I. I'm kind of annoyed at some issues, how can I call them? Anti-feminist maybe? I'll explain:
NDJ seems different to me now, she was sassy and smart, now she is way too submissive. He treats her like a child all the time and nobody cares, including her. It's so mildly disgusting. sorry. I want to not feel it but it's there. Isn't it?
The seceretary that devoted her whole life to an married guy is just sad and the other character bothering me is the wife of the "villain". She is shallow, ok, I get it, but still she is treated very badly buy a cold cheating husband and the show makes comedy of this. This is NOT funny, and again, mildly offensive to be shown as funny. Am I the only one bothered by these aspects of PMI?????
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 6:50 AM
I was having a problem with that but I'm thinking he will learn from her as well. And really, what can one do? Often the older male, younger female relationships do have that dynamic even in real life. Sad i know but true.
There's also the whole premise of 1001 Nights. She is here to heal his soul after his wife cheated on him. So..we're kinda locked in.
Required fields are marked *
Lixie
January 10, 2014 at 7:06 AM
Hey Carole! Arghhh sometimes not speaking english so well is very frustrating! I can't say all I would know how to say in my "first" language. :)
Yeah, I can tell they are going toward the whole "he is learning too!" routine but it's done in a very standard fashion and personally for me, one thing has nothing to do with the other. She was much more assertive in the first eps. I don't get how a smart reporter turns into a submissive housewife that only tries to clean and take care of kids and fake husband all day long and still gets yelled for it! But wait, later he saves her from a car so it's romantic, it's all right.
I mean everybody loved to hate Heirs and we all nitpicked when the show sent all kinds of very wrong anti-feminist messages but now it seems everyone loves PMI and nobody notices nothing about this. It's so strange! :)
I agree with your other comment about YSY too, he's terrific here. I didn't care much for him before, he was charming and all but I had the feeling, after BK and FBND he always overacted a lot. In PMI he is proving me wrong and I'll gladly wait for better roles for him in the future.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 7:35 AM
It is conventional but remember, she's out of her element. That's one aspect of a contract marriage I find interesting and it's something I'm working on in my present WIP. It's a class/status/politics class marriage and there are enemies and political games to understand.
As a reporter, she was allowed to be herself. Her world was anathema and all about outing folks. As a political wife, she is seeing the other side.
Don't get me wrong. I totally agree that she is not the feminist ideal but yeah...in films and in real life, the worshipful attitude towards one's husband/daddy figure is pretty typical. If this were more realistic or feminist, we'd have to go darker: heck her real father is dying and she has found herself a substitute one. But this drama probably won't go there. No one has really mentioned age yet.
Required fields are marked *
Lixie
January 10, 2014 at 8:00 AM
You nailed it Carole. "heck her real father is dying and she has found herself a substitute one." THAT is really bothering me. It's not healthy, it's a neurosis. How come D.Choi gets to be treated as problematic in Pretty Man (I'm still in ep 11 but I think that's where it's going with his crush) but in PM she is just in love? C'mon writers.
Also I think there is a korean background element that I'm missing, I tried to explain better in my reply to Manin. Ther is probably a HUGE gap between what a korean woman would deem as submissive and a brazilian woman. At least that is what these kdramas show, if reality is very much different than they should hurry up and catch up.
How awesome would be if this drama was about a neurotic girl with a daddy crush and a real love triangle with the disturbed dark Chief Kang. :)
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 9:30 AM
But ya know... a lotta deep love relationships are born in the perfect match of neuroses. Not saying all older guy/younger girl relationships are neurotic but eh some of them are. Also not saying that all same-age relationships are sane. Neurosis abounds in all relationships. It's just that... in a world filled with divorces, with men with mid-life crisis, with men who swap old models for new models, and with needy young women needy father figures, ...well this kind of drama is pretty standard middle-aged male masturbatory fare.
The story works as it is, though. Even though the writers aren't calling our attention (or their own attention) to the full-blown neurosis with the dying daddy...it's still a true love. It feels that way.
Tulipsaki
January 10, 2014 at 12:05 PM
I'm not watching that show, but it don't agree with the description you gave. That would irritate me as much as any sexism in Heirs.
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 6:55 AM
I don't think NDJ is being submissive. I think it has something to do with constantly meeting a wall in a way. first with the children and the PM and then the having the one person she though of as a friend and confident int he entire mess confess to her. Along with not wanting to make things worse as well.
for me NDJ is just feeling the hardness of being the one friendly and cheerful person around, when so many opposes to her being there. And facing that anyone is bound to break at some point.
I get where you are coming from with the other characters though. The wife is defintively a character played for laughs being ultimatly being mostly sad and lonely. And the secreatry and the "Villain" are both clinging on to long time one-sided crushes.
But I don't let it bother me much in PM&I. There have been shows far worse in anti-feminism than this. And it's not
Required fields are marked *
Lixie
January 10, 2014 at 7:30 AM
Hey Manin! I think it has to do with a person background maybe. For me, I'm brazilian. We are loud people. :) I'm a quiet person, I'm reserved, I'm the most unbrazilian brazilian you could possibly find :) and still, I can't define her demeanor as anything else but submissive at this point.
It's in the way she is always saying PM, PM, PM, it's so sooo inferior and always in that pleading/shocked tone. She is there as a person of equal standing isn't she? Why would she talk to him like that? Purposedly putting herself in a lower position all the time?
It's in the way he screams at her sometimes. I can't talk/argue with anyone for 2 hours but if there is any screaming involved, I flip. Seriously. She just takes it calmly, like she deserves it. Sometimes he has blamed her for things unfairly too but she never even tries to explain anything, she just takes it, she never speaks to defend herself, to have an adult conversation.
He has her writing a journal, he gives her homework. She pleads in a small voice not to do it. Seriously? It's almost like they are in a BDSM relationship, enacting their own pg13 version of 50 Shades of Grey. :)
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 7:48 AM
Yeah although I don't see it that way I can see where you are coming from. She was definitively more headstrong in the beginning. And he is more assertive while she is trying to be careful in all she does to not mess up.
For me I am more a quiet person, but also used to putting on a more cheerful persona when dealing with troubles. And appearing strong, while at the same time giving in because that's just easier in a lot of cases. So I see it more that way. She has this cheerful and strong persona, but also one that is feeling lonely and hurt. Dealing with her father, and not the contract marriage, the PM and his hot and coldness, the children, the secretary and everything else.
I suppose it's all down to experiences really. And I assume cultural notions of hierarchy plays into her way of addressing him as well. Like she calls him PM, while other drama's have he wife use "minister" or " chief" or whatever for their husband; focus on the title rather than the name.
Required fields are marked *
sassysuzy
January 10, 2014 at 8:18 AM
I also don't see the drama in that way.
It is probably a culture thing too, I guess? Most Asian cultures are patriarchal in nature and it is what is 'normal' to them.
Truth be told, even though NDJ seemed to have mellowed out I still think that at the very core she is still herself. Because of her, the children are less afraid to speak out now and are more willing to voice out their own opinions to their father. And in episode 8, when KY tells her to stop speaking, NDJ insisted on speaking her piece and questioned KY why they always have to do it his way. In a lot of ways, NDJ can still be considered as an unconventional wife/mother as much as she can be considered a conventional wife/mother.
The homework thing could also be a matter of perspective. NDJ was an aspiring writer until she gave it up in order to provide for her father. Her being 'forced' to write everyday could help her find her dream again.
Also, while SHJ's obsession with KY is a concern, for the most part, her being a second lead character is handled well.
But the villain's wife is puzzling to me too... In that marriage, she is the one with money, power, political connections AND she is not in love with her husband. So it does not really make sense, the power dynamics in that marriage.
Required fields are marked *
sassysuzy
January 10, 2014 at 8:30 AM
Somehow related, so if you have time do watch this:
Sheena Iyengar - The Art of Choosing thru TED (ideas worth spreading)
It is a very interesting talk about differences in cultures. Let me know what you think of it!
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 3:18 PM
I agree with sassysuzy. I was cheering when she stood up to Yul and said why is it always your way. Pretty bold stuff, in my opinion, and proof that she is holding on to her core values even in the middle of this crazy situation.
There is a difference between making some compromises with someone to get along (and she is asking PM to change as much as she is adapting) and just giving in submissively to someone who is use to being the boss. In no way do I see her as blindly submitting. She is finding her way, fighting with the unique skills that she has of being warm and smart and funny. She keeps working on changing the PM and his children to bring them to a happier place in spite of very strong resistance on his part. That's strong in my book.
So I see her as a very strong female character. Much stronger than the Miss Korea girl who wiggles her tail to get the boys attention in high school. Just my opinion, and why I adore PM&I.
Yul couldn't be won over by someone who refused to fill out status reports and fought in his face insubordinate. Yul will be worn down by his wife's strength of character. Every time she gets the upper hand, every time Yul is left sputtering and confused on how he hasn't been able to just order her to comply, I am feeling the warmth.
The status report isn't what is important. Yul will give in on that point when he has better connection to his family. She gives it to him for now, reluctantly, while working on the more important issue of healing and love.
Plus she is in love, so we tend to indulge the idiosyncrasies of our loved ones, even if it is as foolish as asking for a daily report. It's the sort of thing I would expect from a PM ... an executive summary just like he gets from all the rest of his staff. HA HA. You know Yul wants to know his family, he loves them dearly, he just is trying to manage them and doesn't get he needs other skills (maybe skills his first wife took care of and his new wife can teach him).
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 3:51 PM
sassysuzy - watched the TED talk. Thanks!
Cultural differences is something I have spent my life trying to understand and appreciate. It started at age 20 when I traveled to England from the US on vacation and was struck by the differences. It sparked a desire in me for world travel and meeting people from around the world.
My attraction to KDramas was very much being confused by some of the things I saw because I didn't understand the culture. I've made a study of it these past 2 years, and it has broadened my world view.
I don't believe USA has the only right answers in the world. I have thought advertisers with their need to differentiate has lead to a ridiculous proliferation of choices, but I had never thought not having a choice could be an option that promoted community. Only watching KDramas has made that idea understandable to me. REALLY interesting idea.
sassysuzy
January 10, 2014 at 6:37 PM
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
NDJ is my fave character in Prime Minister and I! For being vulnerable, yet strong. For adapting to new situations, and still being herself. For standing up for herself.
Watching Sheena Iyengar' The Art of Choosing is enlightening... especially when she said that "No single narrative serves the needs of everyone everywhere." or that "Instead of replacing one story with another, we can learn from and revel in the many versions that exist and the many that have yet to be written."
This is why I like skimming comments every now and then. Sometimes I share the same opinion. Sometimes I have a different one. It is quite interesting how one thing speaks differently to each and every one of us.
There is no ONE 'right way', there could be a different 'right way' for each and every one of us. Different cultures, countries, individuals - is fascinating, isn't it?
Lixie
January 11, 2014 at 1:40 PM
sassysuzy
I watched the TED and really disliked it. Sorry. If I was there I don't think I could have just sat there and listened to the whole thing, I would have walked away in protest because it just angers me to hear such absurdness.
I'm sorry, seriously, I don't mean to be rude or anything but some of the stuff she said was just too horrible and the philosophy itself of saying some people are better off with less or no choice is beyond dangerous.
Have you ever lived in a place with a dictatorship? It's just the kind of thing they love to embrace. I can just imagine all those young girls in some countries being forced to marry right now someone they never met because their families knows best. All those kids being told homosexuality is a choice. All the people without freedom of religion. I CANNOT EVER accept someone saying those poor people from ex-communist countries having doubts about too many soda options is a consistent argument for the idea that less choice is better. Not ever.
I know it's very modern to say there is no one right way and we should respect all cultures but I've always been very much against that. Let's say you were dropped in a savage ancient tribe and they practiced human sacrifice, could you really respect that? If you could, would you not stop that? I would. I have zero respect for treating people as objects. I have zero respect for cultures that don't value women and children and I love choices. If people don't know how to make choices, blame the people not the choices. :)
wan2tree
January 10, 2014 at 9:03 AM
YUP! These are among the reasons I stopped watching. It all leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Way too Freudian.
Required fields are marked *
11 Tulipsaki
January 10, 2014 at 6:50 AM
I've a tech question for those of you who might know: what's a good, small, easy to use wireless printer?
I have the Epsom xp-400, and it never prints. It did in the beginning, so I missed returning it to Amazon, but I checked all the settings, there's new ink cartridges, it's connected, and it won't print. So I'm going to donate it - someone techie can get it from Goodwill and play with it - but I seriously need something Dummy-Push-Here.
Required fields are marked *
whimsicalnet
January 10, 2014 at 7:07 AM
We have a wireless printer. It printed, then hubby went to switch it off to save electricity, and then it didn't. Hubby said that the machine cleared its wireless pairing and had to be re-paired everything it gets switched off. Then he managed to save the pairing into permanent setting and now it works fine. I dunno if this could be the same for you?
Required fields are marked *
Tulipsaki
January 10, 2014 at 8:33 AM
I couldn't find any way to permanently save the settings. :-(
I think Dramadairy might be right. I'll go to the Apple store for a new printer.
Required fields are marked *
dramadairy
January 10, 2014 at 7:31 AM
It may be an operating system- wireless bad interaction. You may need to install a different driver. If your OS is XP! You may be out of luck...good luck to you!
Required fields are marked *
PeepsLeAwesomePotato
January 10, 2014 at 8:38 AM
I'm no techie but I'm going to try. Firstly, if you're sure it's connected, then it's not a problem of IP mismatch, so... that's out.
When you attempt to print something, have you ever checked your print queue (My computer calls it the "see what's printing" option)? (If you're using Windows, it usually appears as one of those small icons in the bottom right corner. Alternatively, you can go to Start ; devices and printers; and right click on your printer then find "see what's printing") If it appears in your "print queue", then (this is going to sound stupid but it's happened to me before...) are you sure that you have not selected the "pause printing" option?
Required fields are marked *
Tulipsaki
January 10, 2014 at 9:31 AM
Done all that, but thank you!
Required fields are marked *
windsun33
January 10, 2014 at 10:28 AM
It might be as simple as redoing the wireless setup on the printer. Most of those printers also have an option to use a USB cable, so might be able to test it that way.
Required fields are marked *
Tulipsaki
January 12, 2014 at 8:53 AM
Tried with the cable and still not printing. I'm really frustrated.
Required fields are marked *
12 Luv_KimRaeWon
January 10, 2014 at 6:51 AM
Hi Everybody,
Have a great start to the weekend. I am in a drama slump right now and hope that INR3 changes that. Have been hearing great things about ‘You who came from the stars’ but I want to wait and marathon it only after it finishes.
Can anyone recommend some good TW-dramas that aired recently? My last one was ‘In time with you’. I haven’t found anything worth watching after that. It can’t be that last year did not have even a single good TW-drama.
Hmm, I don’t have much to say since I haven’t watched any dramas in the last 3 weeks, with the exception of the mini web series with the idol from B2ST. I didn’t know him since I didn’t hear any B2ST songs but the series was cute though extremely short(I thought it was too short to even think of it as a film.. 40 mins, no way)..
Completely irrelevant here, but I wish for a complete and if possible speedy recovery for Michael Schumacher. Not a big F1 fan but news of his ski-accident has hit me pretty hard… and I have developed a huge crush(no admiration actually) for Queen Rania. She is eloquent, intelligent and wants to make the world a better place, which is an admirable trait..Think this is why I have a Kdrama drought.. have been spending my free time watching her videos on Youtube( Queen Rania’s top 10 reasons and Oprah interview are my favs)
Required fields are marked *
Luv_KimRaeWon
January 10, 2014 at 6:57 AM
actually 20's was 80 mins and not 40..made a mistake there
Required fields are marked *
whimsicalnet
January 10, 2014 at 7:16 AM
In A Good Way is a TW drama currently showing on fridays and as of tonight be up to Episode 9 if I am not wrong. I do recommend that. There are two shows by Annie Chen and George Hu, one a long 80+ episodes and the other ard 18? which I watched and found them ok. Perhaps you could search for them. I also watched Just You... a more typical idol drama which is cute but erm... just ok on the storyline.
hth
Required fields are marked *
Luv_KimRaeWon
January 10, 2014 at 7:27 AM
I watched the 80+ epi one with pauses..Love Now and Love Around right?thanks for reminding me abt the other one..will give these a try
Required fields are marked *
aznative
January 10, 2014 at 6:29 PM
Taiwan dramas - "Just You" is cute and only 21 episodes. I haven't finished but I'm enjoying it so far.
Required fields are marked *
13 alua
January 10, 2014 at 6:55 AM
Miss Korea: It's okay, but I'm finding it slow and I'm just not interested in beauty pageants.
You From Another Star: Still loving it.
Let’s Eat: Need to watch the two most recent episodes.
Prime Minister: Still only reading the recaps.
In a Good Way: Ep 8 felt a little slow, but that might be because I've been watching Japanese dramas with 45 min episodes, so I'm not use to the 1.15 – 1.30 length anymore...
20's: cute fluff. 'Like fan fiction' is probably the best way to describe indeed.
Continued working through older dramas of Kimutaku/ Takenouchi and watched Ruri no Shima. Takenouchi only has a supporting role in it, but it's a heartwarming and realistic drama. When I watched the special a very baby-faced Kamiki Ryunosuke popped up (mind you, at 20, he's still baby-faced now), so I decided to watch some of his older stuff. Meaning I finally picked up SPEC: First Blood again (where he has a supporting role) – awesome dorama of course and it makes me crave gyozas very, very badly. Toda Erika and Kase Ryo are fabulous in it of course.
Also watched Kamiki's 11人もいる! (11 non mo ire!, 2011), which is hilarious. One of those quirky, over-the-top dramas, which I would definitely recommend (if the father annoys you in the first episode or two, don't quit!). It's mostly fun, but it actually deals quite a few serious (and taboo) issues. And Kamiki's brilliant in it of course.
Heartbroken Chocolatier starts on Monday. I have a feeling I'm going to hate Ishihara Satomi's character, everything I've read about her makes me cringe. I think the only way I can take it is if Matusjun's character doesn't end up with her. I mean, an ex-girlfriend dumps a guy and then asks him to make the chocolates for her wedding despite knowing that the guy still likes her?
Required fields are marked *
Luv_KimRaeWon
January 10, 2014 at 6:58 AM
Hey,
what is 'In a good way' about? i've been looking for recent TW dramas to watch..
Required fields are marked *
alua
January 10, 2014 at 8:01 AM
College Life – whole bunch of kids in their last years of freedom, growing up, dealing with friendship, love, etc. It's set in the 1990s.
It's very real, nothing of the overdone drama and contrived situations you normally get, and no backstabbing or love triangles (well, there are crossed love lines, but it's handled realistically, with no characters scheming or manipulating things). Which is exactly why I love it.
Required fields are marked *
john
January 10, 2014 at 7:40 AM
alua ~
I saw a list of upcoming Winter J Dramas at Tokyo Hive.
Some possibilities , Ashita, Mama ga Inai Human drama set in a orphanage.
Tenchu ~Yami no Shiokinin~ A time traveling female super ninja. Yeah, it could happen.
Yoru no Sensei A bright and cheerful yet unlucky and clumsy teacher who helps students
Required fields are marked *
alua
January 10, 2014 at 11:10 AM
I'm waiting for those and some others. Heisui has a nice long list. Hopefully there'll be some good stuff.
Required fields are marked *
alua
January 10, 2014 at 7:56 AM
Forgot: A Little Love Never Hurts, which I'm skip-watching
I pretty much am only interested in Jae Min's story line. Mi Joo tires me out, Jae Min's not good enough for her, Ha Rim is too out of reach with his wealthy background bla bla bla. This woman just likes to whine and be a pessimist.
Don't get Ha Kyung being mad about Jae Min/Mi Joo having had a relationship in the past, or hiding that she knows about this relationship from her brother who knows about it. Come on, both Ha Kyung and Ha Rim can have their relationship, fight for it and make it work if they really want to be with Jae Min/Mi Joo respectively. They are just making this whole situation more complicated than it needs to be.
Required fields are marked *
ktiep
January 10, 2014 at 9:25 AM
I thought this past week was filled with pathos. When Ha Rim went on his knees before his mother, I was crying. I also understood her need to have him as her partner in the business. But her control-freak tendencies have no where to go but drive him away. I sure hope they do work it out.
I also did not understand Ha Kyeong's need to keep a secret from her brother. Maybe we'll find out more this week. I was heartbroken to see her sobbing in the previews. She should be thrilled that Jae Min gave her such a wonderful, real kiss. (Jae Min is so affectionate. He hugs his dad and even scratches his back. So sweet.)
I love the older couple when they are together. And I totally "get" the apprehension that the children have about the relationship. When my mother started dating a man after 20 years, we kids were like, "Mom, get his social security number," (so we could do a background check). She was like, "I can't. He's Canadian." LOL.
I'm glad cheating second daughter has come to her senses and broke up with that loser. He needs to apply a "little love" to his original family.
Required fields are marked *
Tulipsaki
January 10, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Ditto to everything you said here.
Required fields are marked *
Tulipsaki
January 10, 2014 at 8:35 AM
I really like Kamiki Ryunosuke too. Thanks for the recommendation! It sounds a lot like Yamada Taro Monogatari, but I've a feeling I'll enjoy this one more (couldn't stand the dad in YTM).
Required fields are marked *
alua
January 10, 2014 at 8:46 AM
It's much, much better than Yamada Taro Monogatari. I tried that one, but had to drop it after a few episodes. The set-up is sort of the same, and at the beginning you're kind of like "What's with these parents", but then they start peeling back layers on all characters and it just kind of works.
Kamiki's character is way more interesting than Ninomiya's was (no spoilers, because some of things that happen are so unexpected that half the fun is in the unexpected twists), plus he's of course miles better as an actor. Goes from pure comedy to deadpan serious in a nanosecond here and occasionally explodes into speedtalking rants, which are just impressive. Plus, every single family member is well defined and gets a moment to shine.
Required fields are marked *
Tulipsaki
January 10, 2014 at 9:48 AM
Interesting! I've got it saved in my favorites now.
Today, I've got Saito San 2 running in the background. It has some funny moments, so it's good for breaks.
Required fields are marked *
RWJQ
January 10, 2014 at 9:20 PM
Hi alua,
Glad that you have finally caught Ruri no Shima. Did you like it? It is one of my faves from Takenouchi.
And the show brought me Kobukuro! I love them. Koko Ni Shika Sakanai Hana is still my favourite J-OST of all time. They also did the OST - Ryuusei - for Nagareboshi, which is another fave of mine from Takenouchi. ^^
Required fields are marked *
alua
January 10, 2014 at 10:51 PM
Ruri no Shima was lovely, Narumi Riko did a wonderful job as Ruri, except that I did not think she looked 11! Ruri no Shima seems like one of those underwatched doramas, which is a pity, it has a lot of heart in it. I wish Takenouchi had come back in the special though.
Nagareboshi is probably my all-time favourite of Takenouchi's (Rondo is a very, very close second). Don't remember the OST, I'm going to have to listen to it again and I'll check out Kobukuro.
Required fields are marked *
14 opheliadrowning
January 10, 2014 at 7:08 AM
Loving My Love From Another Star, but it brought up a beef I've been having with dramas since I started watching them.
STOP ending episodes with kisses, especially those that are edited to high heaven and shot at sixty million angles! I find that it ruins the whole romantic effect because you never get to experience with the characters the emotions of the kiss, you just get basically screen shots that look dramatic and layered. Can we just linger in the moment of the kiss sometimes? A few angles are fine, but not so many cuts that it clearly looks like the director just had the actors pose in a kiss and press lips together for 40 seconds for a good shot. I'm not requesting like open-mouth kissing or anything even. Just you know, let it look kinda natural? Or is that too sexy for TV prime time on Korea?
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 7:45 AM
too agree. it should happen mid-episode and the second half would need to deal with the awkward, the honesty or avoidance, the everything. and more. or not more.
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 7:51 AM
STOP ending episodes with kisses, especially those that are edited to high heaven and shot at sixty million angles!
Amen to that. There are some I don't strictly mind, like when we get to see shots of, say, hands reacting. And MiSa had a great ending kiss in one of its episodes that involved multiple angles, but at least Im Soo-jung got to react to the kiss instead of just standing there like a plank (one of the shots was of So Ji-sub pulling her closer so he could kiss her some more). But these days, kisses like those are the exception rather than the rule *sigh*
Kdramas these days are getting really prudish on prime time, I must say. When even Yoon Eun-hye doesn't get a proper kiss with her male lead in a romcom, things do not look good.
Required fields are marked *
opheliadrowning
January 10, 2014 at 8:00 AM
BLERGH, don't even get me started on "Marry Him If You Dare." I had heard that YEH was one of the few Kdrama actresses that seemed to actually participate in on-screen kisses, and how does the drama end? WITH CONFUSION AND HULK RAGE. Ughhhhhhhhh.
With the various angle cuts, one of the worst ones I've ever seen was the first kiss in "My Princess." I swear, I got whiplash, but in that drama at least, they had lots of other little mid-episode kisses that were at least cute, even if KTH was stiff as a board.
And yes! @redfox, let's have some fallout or reaction WITHIN the actual episode, too! One reason that my favorite kiss in "The Master's Sun" was the first "possession" kiss was Joo Joong Won's drunk-on-the-kiss expression of confusion and realization and resignation that he was in love with Tae Gong Shil that we saw right after the kiss.
Oh, and as for outlawing things in kisses, can we also stop with the ladies staring wide-eyed in shock when they are kissed? That doesn't ring realistic, either! If someone comes at your face that fast, you're gonna blink or flinch at least and close your eyes! I know directors love the slow-mo reaction shot of the ladies closing their eyes in acceptance of the kiss, but c'mon now, let's get real.
Required fields are marked *
Luv_KimRaeWon
January 10, 2014 at 8:17 AM
you are on a roll here Opheliadrowning..if we had the Like buttons, you would've gotten the most no: of likes for 14 and 14.2.1..thumbs up..
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 8:29 AM
@opheliadrowning - YEH's onscreen kissing record was flawless, no matter how much her dramas otherwise sucked - which is why MHIYD left me flabbergasted that they did not even use one of her best skills, i.e. her chemistry with her leading men!
with Master's Sun, I wasn't so into the first kiss because, well, she wasn't even there, let alone participating - but the reactions and post-kiss fallout were handled perfectly within the episode. The rooftop kiss was slightly better for me because of the hand shots (which took it in the direction of sexy despite the usual kdrama kiss cliches otherwise present in the scene) and the post-kiss holding on to each other. But they could have really lived up to the potential of that pairing, too bad Hong sisters dramas stay so chaste even with all that innuendo. (and yeah, the wide-eyed look of shock needs to go too. As does the complete lack of reaction allowed from heroines when they're kissed - no one stands there as stiff as a plank when they're kissed for real, not even Park Shin-hye!)
Required fields are marked *
MapleSilver
January 10, 2014 at 9:44 AM
The high school kiss in Miss Korea has the heroine asking for more. So refreshing. No wide eyes, she is totally enjoying it. You can see it at the end of episode four if you have not been watching.
Required fields are marked *
MapleSilver
January 10, 2014 at 9:46 AM
Oh, and totally she is blinking and flinching with each coming kiss but she is smiling, I tell you.
15 LoveSilents
January 10, 2014 at 7:14 AM
Does anyone have any opinions on Dramafever? You have to sign up to watch videos. I read some of the disclaimer and it sounded like they can do anything they want with your personal info (email). Just wondering if people are happy with the service and videos. There are so many other "easier" sites I didn't know if it was worth it...thanks!
Required fields are marked *
becca_boo
January 10, 2014 at 7:54 AM
Even though I have an account, I usually don't watch anything on DramaFever because I have issues with the player (doesn't have a good buffer, so I end up watching maybe 30 seconds to a minute, pausing for it to load, etc.). Thankfully, most shows on DF get licensed to Hulu anyway, so I watch most of my shows on Hulu and ViKi. I mainly just watch on DramaFever if I can't find the show I want on any of the other legal sites.
Required fields are marked *
mommai
January 10, 2014 at 9:11 AM
You can watch without making an account.
Required fields are marked *
windsun33
January 10, 2014 at 10:36 AM
I have been a DF subscriber for a little over a year, and have few problems with it - with the exception of streaming to ROKU. Sometimes on the ROKU app it will lose sync and will have to restart the episode to resync it.
I use gmail so I really don't care what they do with my email address, since gmail filters out 99% of all spam. All I get from them is series updates for those that I have on my list.
Be aware that if you are only signed up with no paid sub you will get a lot of ads, just like most other "free" sites.
Required fields are marked *
Love Silents
January 10, 2014 at 11:54 AM
Thanks all for the good info! I love DramaBeanies! I couldn't figure out how to watch without signing up but I also tend to watch on kengsubs...cheers!
Required fields are marked *
Shadow-chan
January 10, 2014 at 2:52 PM
Mhh, to be honest I'm not so happy with quality options - for some videos, my laptop can't even handle "middle", but "low" is waaaaay to terrible to watch. And of course "high" is only available for premium members - which I still can't become because it STILL isn't available in Germany. "Late November" my ass.
And don't get me started on the ads... Serious question here: Is it normal for America to have ads that often? In Germany it actually isn't allowed (I think an ad break every 20 minuted tops or something...?), at least on tv. And honestly, I wouldn't mind the ads so much if there fewer and longer - you know, one or two blocks, just like on tv.
I'll probably still get premium though should it ever come to Germany, because I hope that they'll have more dramas licensed than Viki - which I pay for, and still have to download almost everything *sigh*
Er, but otherwise DF is actually fine, and I don't think they do anything with your mail address ;)
Required fields are marked *
windsun33
January 11, 2014 at 2:37 PM
The regs for TV ads have nothing to do with internet ads as they fall under different rules. The airwaves uses public broadcast spectrum, the internet does not.
But aside from that, I see that a lot of the "free" sites are really loading up on ads, much more than just a year or two ago. Some, like gooddrama.net have gotten so bad that I no longer bother with them.
Required fields are marked *
monologue
January 10, 2014 at 3:22 PM
I have a free account on Dramafever using my hotmail address. They spam me a bit with emails with drama news and stuff. These emails usually irritate me because they assume I'm super excited for idol kid dramas like Heirs. I don't use DF on my phone. I find their business tactics kind of aggressive so I watch Viki or other sites as much as I can instead (I use Viki free mobile app too).
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 4:02 PM
I am a premium member of DramaFever and recently got the Vikipass. I think $4 for Vikipass is a better value than $10 for DF.
In theory I like DF for promoting KDramas with legal licensing, but in practice I find their selection of dramas limited and the player does choke on me at times.
All in all, I still miss dramacrazy.
Required fields are marked *
jozie
January 10, 2014 at 9:46 PM
Vikipass is only $4? Why didn't I know that - silly me, not checking.
Required fields are marked *
windsun33
January 11, 2014 at 2:42 PM
I also have a VikiPass, my only issue with Viki is that they don't have a ROKU app yet, so if I want to see it on the big TV screen I have to plug my laptop into the TV with an HDMI cable.
Required fields are marked *
Tara
January 10, 2014 at 9:50 PM
You don't need an account for DF, for the majority of their Korean dramas...
I actually watch subbed dramas on Hulu's Korean drama genre section, Viki and DF for others not found on Hulu. The three together is substantial enough for me.
Required fields are marked *
newgirl
January 10, 2014 at 10:58 PM
I have subscribed for the last 8 months and my only complaint is they seem to take a couple days to load the latest episode. That and their choice seems more limited than Viki. However their subs seem a little more refined (and accurate) than Viki's, unless you are watching some of the older stuff.
In general the loading problems may have more to do with the speed of the internet service provider's connection than how old your laptop is. I watch on a 5 year old HP, but have high speed internet that does the job.
Also I use Google Chromecast and they have an adblock extension that you can download that takes care of at least 80% of the ads on whatever you're watching. (Just download Google Chromecast, then google Chromecast adblock extension and download that.)
I signed up with Dramafever when they offered $6/month for life special, so I feel it was worth it. I also use the Iphone apps for Dramafever and Viki, but cannot adblock Viki on that. Still a small price to pay for watching while on my 40 minute bus commute.
Required fields are marked *
Love Silents
January 11, 2014 at 8:20 AM
Oh ok - cool! thanks! All great responses and info. I do have Chromecast. Beanies rock!
Required fields are marked *
16 Luv_KimRaeWon
January 10, 2014 at 7:15 AM
A BIG Like for this comment. haven't watched the episode, but I totally understand what you mean(watched many similar kisses in other Kdramas). 20s was nice that way.Kisses were sweet and natural and didn't have the 360° angle thingie going on in them
Required fields are marked *
Luv_KimRaeWon
January 10, 2014 at 7:17 AM
Post 16 is a reply to Post 14(opheliadrowning)..something went wrong there--
Required fields are marked *
17 alexis
January 10, 2014 at 7:19 AM
Getting less and less happy with Empress Ki. I was aware from the beginning that Empress Ki was going to be somewhat historically inaccurate for the sake of entertainment and gap-filling, but I thought it would still have some semblance of reality instead of being almost completely fictionalized.
With Empress Ki, I was really hoping for a serious, basically accurate account of how this young woman from Korea becomes the Empress of a foreign land. That is an actual and very interesting political story that deserves to be told, but isn't. Instead, Empress Ki is almost completely fictionalized, and is filled with standard drama cliches of love triangles, a woman dressed up as a man, unbelievable plotlines, etc. If I wanted to watch a regular fictional sageuk, I would have watched one.
Required fields are marked *
cherkell
January 10, 2014 at 8:14 AM
MBC and the production company and the actors have all said since Day One that they were not making a documentary. A disclaimer is shown at the beginning of every episode to remind viewers that they've taken great liberties with the historical details. Once that fact is taken into consideration, then you will see why the show is constantly pulling in such high ratings.
Empress Ki is not your usual stuffy sageuk that places more emphasis on historical accuracy over plotlines -- I'm watching Jeong do Jeon over on KBS for that. I will live and die with Empress Ki as it is firing on all cylinders with its plot and acting and sets and cinematography. Except for those HORRIBLE subs provided by MBC America -- do they have 100 monkeys at 100 typewriters writing for them? I believe a sageuk character never uttered the phrase "crazy dorkus doofus." *sigh*
Empress Ki FIGHTING!!! ♥
Required fields are marked *
alexis
January 10, 2014 at 9:20 AM
I'll concede that the show is still entertaining, even if it has been completely kdrama-terized. LOL @ "crazy dorkus doofus." (By the way, they actually tried the experiment of putting real monkeys at keyboards...after a month, the monkeys produced five pages, mostly consisting of the letter S, and then the lead male monkey started bashing the keyboard with a stone.)
Required fields are marked *
atz
January 10, 2014 at 9:57 AM
I actually agree with you. Though the drama claims fictional just as other historical dramas, the difference between regular dramas and this is that they created the Kogryo king with no regards to the historical Kogryo king( evil malicious King he was) when other historical figures in the Drama were alive. Because the Kogryo King was created out of thin air, he is portrayed as a very dashing, handsome almost god like faultless person. What the writer did is the complete make over one main lead but retaining other historical figures basically as they were. It is not the good writing method I give a credit to. Once I realized that the King was completely created by the writer, I can predict where the story line would lead... the Korean woman has to love and be loved by Korean man, not by a foreigner,,, this is the bottom line I can sense. Sorry this is only my personal opinion but this set up bothers me.
Required fields are marked *
alexis
January 10, 2014 at 3:17 PM
Yeah, completely rewriting one character like that made things confusing. Part of the reason I started watching was because it's more interesting when you are able to think that the things in the drama actually happened in history, but the drama was not like that at all.
paroles
January 10, 2014 at 10:46 AM
From the start I kind of expected Empress Ki to be historically inaccurate to make up for some more dramatic elements. Now I would say that "historically inaccurate" is a total understatement. The drama itself is very nationalistic; it has pro-Korea written all over it. I mean, it's common knowledge that in the olden days China was the supreme power in Asia, but because of, I presume, bias on the scriptwriter's part, the drama kind of make out the Goryeo king to be perfect. It felt wrong from the first scene when the Goryeo king spoke to the Yuan emperor in a tone not so fitting of a subordinate king. Actually, in the first place, I don't really get why the Goryeo king exists, because I'm pretty sure historically they have no romantic relations. I thought the drama will portray a more realistic (evil) Ki who's intent on installing her own son as the emperor but it turned out to be a purely romantic saguek. I don't see why it has to be set in the past even, it could be just a modern day drama where the male leads are CEOs from rival companies. I guess it's really just for the sake of viewer ratings.
Required fields are marked *
alexis
January 10, 2014 at 3:19 PM
Yes!! A realistic Empress Ki with both good and evil sides to her would have been awesome! I don't understand why they have to either portray someone as totally good or totally bad, when in reality human nature is a balance of good and evil.
Required fields are marked *
cherkell
January 10, 2014 at 4:53 PM
Well, we're only 20 episodes in out of 50, so there has to be some event that makes Seung-nyang turn to the dark side soon. And I agree on the statements about Mr. Perfect Kingly Being; Joo Jin-mo is hotness personified, but geez he needs to pick up some flaws and pick them up FAST before I bash my head against my keyboard. And I'm not shipping one lead over the other, since both have their own failings to overcome. (Sorry Emperor Puppy... forgive me this once, okay: :P )
The whole nationalism thing kinda sticks in my craw as well -- I hope and pray that even if the writers are giving a wide berth to the historical facts, that certain 'aspects' of their history are not reworked for the sake of viewer ratings. If written as fact, the three leads were absolute shits in real life, but history is there for a reason. To interject a 'birth secret' into this drama would be a travesty and I hope that EK doesn't slide down that slippery slope at all. We'll see soon. OOHLALA, everyone!!! ㅋㅋㅋ
Required fields are marked *
18 ht
January 10, 2014 at 7:27 AM
Thank you Annie, Peeps, kopytko, redfox, ahjummabunny, Patch, LizJ, owl and Thursdaynexxt for all your kind words and concern in the previous OT. Life still sucks but at least I'm feeling a little more positive. Thank you SO much. You guys are wonderful people. ♥
I'm watching Can We Love? and I'm liking it so far. I can't wait for the upcoming dramas, this year's gonna be awesome (hopefully). I'm feeling a little sick, tired, hungry and lazy to type already lol, so........ have a great day ahead! :)
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 7:46 AM
you are welcome, stay well!
Required fields are marked *
kopytko
January 10, 2014 at 7:50 AM
Hi!
I am glad that you could feel a little better. Don't give up!
I also liked Can We Love. Especially the double-life ajumma. Normally, I hate when people smoke, but for her character it was such a great scene. This little mischievous act was very meaningful. The other women are also interesting - they have their problems, their quirks and they seem very natural - by no means cardboard characters.
And the handsome ajussis *swoooon*. How easy it is to make me happy.....
Have a good day, too!
Required fields are marked *
Amell
January 10, 2014 at 8:34 AM
I'm glad you're feeling a bit better.
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 9:55 AM
\ / *waving to you with both hands*
Required fields are marked *
thursdaynexxt
January 10, 2014 at 2:30 PM
Hey ht, glad to see you again this week, and good to hear you're feeling able to put a more positive spin on things! And if you ever need to get stuff off your chest, this is definitely one good place for it!
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 4:05 PM
I'm right there with you watching Can We Love?. have a great week :-)
Required fields are marked *
19 owl
January 10, 2014 at 7:28 AM
Hi hi beanies! It’s been a rather choppy week in kdramaland for me – something’s been “off” for subbing (slower and a bit erratic it seems, at least on some sites). As always, thanks for the recaps db team!
Highlights – *spoilers*
My Love From A Different Star – I adore both Song Yi and Min Joon. Everything about them is working in this drama. And the KISS - chemi. I laughed when he said to her rambling, “I’m not curious. Stop explaining.”I’m going to use that line, it’s good. Unlike the Heirs wardrobe fiasco, the sweaters on Min Joon (and Hwi Kyung for that matter) are fabulously hot. Did anyone else think the cliff was the same one MJ rescued SY at in the past? Although I expected the car to teeter on the edge like the cart and have him pull her out like he did before.
KDQOTD: “Does your heart always do what you want?” (ep 7).
The Prime Minister and I–excellent. Yoona is a really good actress, I like her in this a lot. Contract schmontract, just get your marriage together officially, you two. The undisclosed story about Yoon Suit Yoon’s brother and his relationship with Prime Minister’s wife (and the car accident) is intriguing. I think the tables are turning with Chief Kang’s intentions because he can’t bear to see Da jung get hurt in the process. YSY is almost too cute to pull off a role that requires him be a bit sinister. Just too adorable.
Also watched EXO ep 6, Laws of the Jungle with Chenyeol, and my favorite WGM with JungMi. Let’s see, there was the Cool Kiz Basketbal and Christmas special (the ramen tree for charity, I liked it – oh, and John Park won the award for best newcomer celeb 2013). I am waiting for KPop Star season 3 eps6+ and Genius 2: Rulebreaker ep 4+ to be subbed.
Did anyone catch Joo won singing a bit from the musical “Ghsot” on A Song for You? JW is the complete package tied with a giant bow.
Jdrama: It wasn’t a week for a Woman episode: I’m on 9 but have to be able to handle it. Is there a current jdrama that anyone is watching and would recommend?
Other stuff: I am considering another pt job – could use $ and it will have busy/slower times throughout the year. But on top of full time nannying plus side editing jobs, I’m beginning to feel like a single working Korean woman taking on yet another pt job in the mix. I am afraid it might be tiring, but it will be challenging in a good way.
The first book of the new year that I’m reading – Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City by Russell Shorto (2013). What are others reading already this year?
\/ ♥
Required fields are marked *
Luv_KimRaeWon
January 10, 2014 at 7:36 AM
just started 'The wonder that was India'.. all excited about it..
other than that, i read 'Slammed'..went into it with very low expectations coz I wanted to see what the hype was about..it wasn't bad..some grammatical mistakes and a simplistic writing style, but interesting enough to be a '1 sitting' book..
also read Agatha Christie's 'Curtain' and loved it..
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 9:19 AM
I often email grammatical mistakes to the publisher/author for their next print edition, and more times than not, I get a 'thank you' response.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 7:46 AM
I keep watching Chief of Staff in Prime Minister thinking, "This is what Shark's Protagonist should've been like."
A challenge is good and money is definitely good but don't overwork.
Books read so far this year (mostly finishing them up to get my reviews up to date):
Astonished by Beverly Donofrio
Hen Who dreamed she could fly
Mastermind: How to think like Sherlock Holmes
Seeing the Voice of God: What God is telling you through your dreams
Scenes and Monologues of Spiritual Experience in contemporary plays
NIV Essentials Study Bible
Required fields are marked *
Luv_KimRaeWon
January 10, 2014 at 7:50 AM
Mastermind: How to think like Sherlock Holmes
Hmm, i should google that:)
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 7:54 AM
it's sooo good. It's about neuroscience and mindfulness. And Maria Konnikova uses Sherlock stories to explain the human mind. I reviewed it on compulsivereader.com but check it out.
Required fields are marked *
Luv_KimRaeWon
January 10, 2014 at 8:20 AM
it has a kindle edition.i'll tell you how i like it, next Friday..
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 9:31 AM
LOL!!! Wow, another fast reader!
nxa
January 10, 2014 at 1:42 PM
*.* that book sounds SO interesting!
I'm gonna look for it right away!
owl
January 10, 2014 at 9:23 AM
Right, Carole, the money versus time and even health is a balance act. I also don't want to give up my art time (which I only get to some nights plus weekends - and that already competes with kdrama time since I can't do both simultaneously because I have to read the subtitles :)). I have to do a good job of weighing the pluses and minuses before I make a decision. Anyway, thanks for the input - who would've thought db would also be a community to bounce off life issues as well?
Required fields are marked *
ktiep
January 10, 2014 at 9:50 AM
Those sound interesting, especially the Mastermind book.
I am reading Perfume: The Story of a Murderer in German with a friend. It's real literature and I'm learning a lot about perfume.
My book club meets next week to pick this year's books. I'm taking Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Book Store. It's about a 20ish man who worked in hi tech, but needs to get a job, so he gets one at a bookstore. It turns out the bookstore is a front for a secret society. It's a great portrait of the geeks of society.
Last year I read Wilderness and the American Mind. It's about the history of wilderness in the US--why did we set so much land aside to be wilderness. I created a Pinterest board for the artwork and views and parks he wrote about.
Also, my book club read The Orphan Master's Son. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2011. It's set in North Korea. Not an easy read, but I thought it was worth getting through.
Other than that, I like to read blogs...
Required fields are marked *
enz
January 11, 2014 at 5:48 PM
i loved the bok perfume - as well as the movie. actualy watched the movie and was intrigued enough to read the book.
smell is the brother of breath. :)
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 7:48 AM
oh, sweaters? gotta add some to my Pinterest board then. know where I can find pictures of the sweaters in YFAS?
Required fields are marked *
john
January 10, 2014 at 7:53 AM
owl ~
I've been watching A Clinic On The Sea . Rom Com about a medical team that works on a ship. They provide medical care for island residents. The male doctor "falls in love" at the drop of a hat. Of course, there's his nurse that tries to keep him in line. Could it be that she's his love to be?
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 10:26 AM
May try watching it ~ I saw it up, but didn't take the bait :), not yet, anyhoot.
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 7:56 AM
hey owl! Good luck with the pt jobs, you'll be a drama heroine soon if you don't watch out!
I've been reading fluff, mostly - lots of P.G. Wodehouse, which is great because I adore his language and am desperately in need of a laugh sometimes. Though strictly, it's re-read - the only new book I've read in 2014 so far is A Street Cat Named Bob, by James Bowen - a real-life account of the author's life turning around after the adoption of a stray cat. I love cats and hope to be a cat owner someday, so I got a bit sentimental over this one.
Required fields are marked *
20 Laden
January 10, 2014 at 7:32 AM
This week's viewing
Still on Heirs,I've not finished watching it since I'm preparing to write my exams,its not actually as bad as I expected it to be,I'm actually kinda enjoying maybe its because of the negative comments I had stuck in my brain
YFAS is just a DAEBAK drama,I love love love that drama I love CSY 'sawry' and DMJ stoic attitude and that kiss *sigh*
And putting it out there,I just started learning how to write and read Hangul from a website(www.koreanwikiproject.com)I have to say its relatively easy to learn(first name learnt in hangul-Lee min ho :D)
I have my plates full trying to watch kdramas,learn hangul and read upcoming exams,I'm enjoying it though
Dedicated Beanie from nigeria(my love for dramabeans writers and commenters knows no bounds.LOL)
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 4:15 PM
Laden, Wow. Thanks for the Hangul link. Lots to explore there! The Proverbs section made my eyes pop.
One thing that hinders me is I have never figured out how to type Hangul on my computer. Anyone know how?
Required fields are marked *
Laden
January 11, 2014 at 4:11 AM
You're welcome,I also don't know know how to type hangul I also wouldn't mind a little help
Required fields are marked *
21 pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 7:37 AM
Hey everyone! I didn't keep up with any airing dramas this week, but did watch Twenty Years Old, which is a definite win - it's the sweetest teen/young adult relationship I've seen in kdrama in YEARS (discounting Nam-soon/Heung-soo of course). Kikwang is so utterly adorable, it's hard to resist the urge to put him in my pocket, and it helps that he did a good job at the acting too. But the real weight of the story rested on Lee Da-in, and I'm thrilled to report she was more than capable of holding it - she's every bit as much of a charming, natural screen presence as her unnie Yubi, and talented to boot. For a total of eighty minutes, it's pretty well-told and I love that the relationship actually involves a guy treating his girlfriend with care and decency - as much as possible for an idol, anyway. Though I wish they explained that ending more (but kisses!!! LOTS of kisses!! Not dead-fish kisses, but ones that actually allow our girl to look like she's into the guy! Who'd have thought....)
Movie-wise, I watched Crush and Blush last week (STILL on that Master's Sun lead train, I am). The best thing about it were Gong Hyo-jin and Seo Woo's performances, and the bond their characters formed - from the synopsis, I thought Lee Jong-hyuk would have a greater role but he's really just background for SW and GHJ. It was more female-centric than I thought it would be.....and also dirtier. And I'm more impressed than ever with GHJ, because this character is SO different from any of her others - completely unlikable, but somehow sympathetic.
And it takes guts to allow yourself to be presented as so unattractive onscreen - and I don't mean 'kdrama ugly', where a bowl cut or glasses or a topknot are supposed to render an attractive woman devoid of appeal, but actually, properly ugly. I can totally see why this role got GHJ so many kudos - she went all-in, and it shows. Ditto Seo Woo, who at 22 makes for a disturbingly convincing middle schooler.
Other than that, my week has been dominated by one show only, which is fitting considering I waited two years for it - SHERLOCK!!!!! First ep was a bit shaky, plot/structure-wise, but 90 minutes of Benedict Cumberbatch's voice totally makes up for it - and I am mildly disturbed by how attracted I am to him when the makeup department has gone out of its way to heighten his resemblance to an alien, a dinosaur, or Kim Woo-bin. I was dying to know how he survived the fall, and thank goodness I avoided spoilers because the impact of the reveal on these things just gets diluted hard when the Internet lets you know things beforehand.
And I died a little inside when Irene Adler showed up in the 'mind palace' in ep 2. Actually, all of ep 2 made me die a little inside, from drunk Sherlock to his wedding speech panics to him scaring Mary's ex straight, but the ending.......now I'm really scared that ep 3 is going to end in absolute misery and then leave us hanging for another two years - this show will be the death of me.
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 7:39 AM
Ooops, forgive my forgetting to close the HTML tag.
Required fields are marked *
Manin
January 10, 2014 at 8:02 AM
Pogo! How are you?
Twenty years old was cute and fluff and I liked it. Still haven't seen episode 4 I think. But it was pretty good.
What is Crush and blush about? Sounds like an interesting watch.
Sherlock season 3 is out? (Yes I missed it how could I?) Is it good? I was worried what they would do now that most of the book material is used up (I think anyway).
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 8:18 AM
Hey Manin! I'm fine, thanks - glad to hear you liked Twenty Years Old too, it's better than I expected such a bit of fluff to be.
Crush and Blush is basically about an unattractive (in personality as well as looks) middle school teacher and student teaming up to break up the student's dad's affair with another teacher at the school (said dad is also a teacher, and taught our heroine when she was in high school). That's the bare-bones plot, but it's really quite funny even if it is not your average romcom and probably needs better editing in some parts.
Sherlock S3 premiered on New Year's Day, and now the last episode will air this Sunday in the UK (which means, by hook or by crook, I will watch it). There are dozens of Holmes stories in book canon so there's no danger of them running out of Doyle material, but this season seems to have deviated from the formula a little bit and tends to place the focus more on the characters than the mysteries. That was for episode 1, anyway - episode 2 has a very active mystery woven in with the plot. I'd say it's good, though ep 1 is a but shaky and ep 2 is where it gets better - will have to wait and see about 3, I suppose.
Required fields are marked *
Ace
January 10, 2014 at 10:24 AM
I don't think it deviated from the canon. Pre-The Final Problem was more case-oriented and Post-TFP was more character-based in the books too. There was definitely a more mellow/emotional Sherlock when he got back from the dead. Actually, Sherlock from the books was obviously more open to his feelings when he wrote that note to John in The Final Problem calling him 'Dear' 3 times, I think. Besides, the creators have always said that it's not a Detective Show, it's a Show About a Detective. Also regarding the criticisms about the first 2 episodes including fan fiction (Sherlock-Moriarty bromance FTW!), the writers as big fans/experts of ACD has said that they don't need/read fan fiction off the Internet. They write fan fiction. And Sherlock is their fan fiction.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS: There are rumors that the things that happened in The Empty Hearse (not just the John-Guy Fawkes thing), The Sign of Three (not just the telegram from CAM to Mary), and maybe some from season 2 are all connected and would be revealed in the final episode.
Required fields are marked *
Spi
January 10, 2014 at 11:05 AM
Hi pogo, haha I lovewhat you said about Sherlock. I also found ep 1 a bit shaky, a bit toomuch of a textbook Sherlock episode but ep 2 blew my mind. I am also nervous about ep 3...
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 6:10 PM
@Ace - I know it's not different from the Holmes canon, but ep 1 does feel different from the show's mystery-centric formula in that the mystery was.....simpler than usual? I like the more character-driven Sherlock, but ep 2 had better execution than ep 1, on that front - it's better when Sherlock has settled back into his own life. And I expected that the three eps would be connected, that's how the previous series have worked too - now I just have to avoid the Internet and be shocked on Sunday (Monday for me) when it happens!
@spi - I know we're getting future seasons so they won't kill off Sherlock or John, but everyone else.....
Required fields are marked *
Ace
January 10, 2014 at 10:41 AM
@Manin - Since the canon consists of 56 short stories and four novels, I think there's still around 30 short stories & one novel for the writers to play around with. Not to mention the other short stories that weren't included for the Season 1 & 2 time period.
Just finished Twenty Years Old and it's so cute. I wanted to see how they got back together, but the ending left me quite happy so I don't mid so much now how it happened.
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 6:13 PM
They do toss in offhand references to several of the stories as past cases, though even with that they've still got a lot to work with.
Twenty Years Old is the absolute cutest. I do wish I knew how they got back together or how her friend got on board (a hint would have been nice) but it's a happy ending so I can live with that.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 10:01 AM
ooh, now totally sold on 20. Sweetness would be sweet.
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 6:18 PM
It's super short too - shorter than most movies!
Required fields are marked *
thursdaynexxt
January 10, 2014 at 2:42 PM
Loved "Crush and Blush" - she was so terribly awkward and unpopular - they really didn't pull their punches with that story! But yes, it was the GHJ - SW pairing that made the movie for me!
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 6:16 PM
I know - I wasn't expecting them to go there, but somehow those two (GHJ and SW) kept me watching. They're both just SO good, GHJ really does seem to bring out the best in actresses as well as actors, when they're the primary character paired with her (first Shin Mina in Sisters on the Road, now SW)
Required fields are marked *
22 enz
January 10, 2014 at 7:39 AM
Hi all. am behind on my drama watching last week because i was on holiday (laos - really beautiful place and people). but in a day managed to catch up on YFAS, warm word, golden rainbow and let's eat! :P
i LOVE warm word A LOT!! SO SO GOOD. great dialogues, great layered characters and actors doing a fine job. OOh, actually havent done epi 10 yet! so, i have something to look forward to tomorow.
also really like the characters and the story behind let's eat.
YFAS is very very addictive and it is true, i think, that JJH is stealing the scenes. it doesnt make me feel as much as warm words and miss korea does but it is the most addictive of the lot.
am also enjoying the jung il woo - uee moments in golden rainbow.
CANT wait to squee for INR 3 and want to start on can we love as well!!
how will i manage the time??!
hope everyone has a great weekend :)
Required fields are marked *
enz
January 10, 2014 at 7:39 AM
oh and i love this song travel bags!!
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 7:43 AM
I adooore YFAS and the OTP has great chemistry, but it's definitely a case where I'm much more into one character than the other - and for me, that character is Song-yi. Jeon Ji-hyun just owned that performance from the moment she appeared onscreen in ep 1, she's really firing on all cylinders to show us just why she's such a star and I love it.
Min-joon, though, is amusing but I'm finding it harder to get into him. And that annoying Destiny OST does not help!
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 7:45 AM
re: Golden Rainbow - they have such great chemistry, even if I'm not quite feeling Uee's character/performance that much. I watch that show with my finger firmly on the fastforward button - can't wait for them to kiss, they teased us way too much with the 'dream' last week, lol.
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 7:52 AM
I need to catch up with GR, havent watched the last 4 ep. but during New Year Jung Il Woos´smile kept me sane.
Required fields are marked *
enz
January 10, 2014 at 8:04 AM
oh but it is looking like its angst time first for them. i like how blur uee is when she is around il woo's do young. and he teases her mercilessly although now things are getting serious.
Required fields are marked *
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
January 10, 2014 at 8:09 AM
yeah, I adore the teasing too - it's a cute change from the usual bickering romance of kdramas.
re: angst time, I suppose it was coming, this drama is a makjang after all. Though I couldn't care less about that fishery or plotting chaebols (kind of interested in Chun Won/Do-young's hyung, though, will they pair up for real?)....all I want is for JIW and Uee to have more skinship and kissing, whether it's angsty or not. At least when she's around him, she's better.
Required fields are marked *
enz
January 10, 2014 at 8:25 AM
yes, that was what got me through the 10 episodes of setup which was, to me, full of unbelievable coincidences and sterrotypical characters. both do young's and baek won's interactions and how much he already adored her and was constantly showing it too. so sweet.
Enz
January 10, 2014 at 10:10 AM
You know what i love most about seo do young? How good he is in reading everyone's character. He read yoon ha bin/chun won so well and saw instantly how like his father she is. And he read baek won and saw how she was someone who would always protect her family. I loved it when he told ha bin that.
Adal
January 10, 2014 at 11:20 AM
UEE isn't bad, but Jung Il Woo emotes enough for both of them. He's spot on in his characterization, I love that even though he plays a goofy character, he's as sharp as a tack and when he doesn't hide his intelligence, he's a sexy as hell.
Angst and conflict were introduced in ep. 19. I can't wait to see how it plays out. Personally, I fell that Angst and Conflict (note the Cap letters) could be cut out of most Kdramas if the characters would just be honest with each other. I won't say anything more spoilerish than this here, but I can't wait until ep. 20 to see how things play out.
Required fields are marked *
atz
January 11, 2014 at 1:10 AM
Your comment on Jung Il Woo is spot on. His character has many layers. I often scratch my head wondering why pairs in K drama land attract each other or keep having one sided love because the pairs's character development is not good enough. In this drama, I can see why they are attracted each other and I can see their kindling fire will become a big spark( hopefully very lasting bonfire), romantically. I cannot find any better actor who can play DY other than Jung Il woo.
Required fields are marked *
enz
January 11, 2014 at 2:44 AM
angst and conflict was inbuilt in this drama - no way of escaping! it was heartbreaking when do young asked baek won "can you really not know my heart?"
il woo is really good at playing characters that need to straddle extreme emotions and personality traits, playful, flirty and teasing and then suddenly serious, deep and as you said, sharp as tack.
Required fields are marked *
LT
January 10, 2014 at 4:36 PM
Hi Enz,
Just come back home 2 days ago from two and half weeks travelling Malaysia. Seeing a giant size picture of Ha Yeon Soo (Na Jin a from the Potato Star) on a huge pillar near the Express train departure gate at the Central Station in KL, reminded me of you and your recommended viewing. I have found Potato Star watchable, but not addictive. I’ll catch up gradually now that I’m home. I’ve caught up with Empress Ki, Prime Minister and I, Bel Ami and You from another Star, all of which I’ve found the characters very entertaining.
Required fields are marked *
enz
January 10, 2014 at 9:41 PM
haha. i hope you had a good time here. i certainly didnt notice ha yeon soo anywhere in kl!
when i was in laos though almost every asian tourist was korean!! there were so many koreans in laos.
where are you from LT?
Required fields are marked *
23 snow_white
January 10, 2014 at 7:44 AM
hiiiiiiiiiii
watching only Prime Minister And I....it's sooooooo awesome :)
dropped the idea of watching Miss Korea....looks really serious....
Planning to marathon YFAS later....and J-drama Pride from next week.
Required fields are marked *
redfox
January 10, 2014 at 7:54 AM
miss korea is serious, but it also shows some brave strong women, I like that
Required fields are marked *
24 soprection
January 10, 2014 at 8:15 AM
Let's Eat!
Haven't seen this week's episode yet but how devastating was DaeYoung's face when he confronted SooKyung in last week's about reporting him? He seemed so hurt and betrayed. :( I hope this will be the thing that pushes her to stop suspecting him and holding him at arm's length and let him into her life on more positive terms. JinYi continues to be adorable and that little interlude with the friend's son falling for her at first sight was adorable. Puppy love, haha. SooKyung had some very nice outfits in last week's episode also - I loved her white sweater. Jinyi also looked lovely. I don't even like tofu but after watching last week's, I'm now craving that and those amazing looking mandu!!! And I already have a weakness for mandu. So much for losing weight this year. Looking forward to this week's episode!
Required fields are marked *
enz
January 10, 2014 at 8:17 AM
agree agree agree!! i wanted the dubu so badly too :)
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 10:03 AM
Am watching this week's episode now...and wow...hormones!!!! The shopping scene!! Ah me!!! Major second lead surge...unless something else was surging in my ovaries.
The cute kid with the crush is sooo adorable.
Required fields are marked *
monologue
January 10, 2014 at 3:29 PM
I have to say I'm still kind of suspecting Dae Young even after he reacted like that at the end of last week's episode. I had the same reaction as you to his reaction at the end of Ep 6 though. Doojoonie did well. You should definitely look forward to the ending of Ep 7.
I totally got a dumpling craving too. I have some dumpling wrappers in my freezer actually, maybe I should put those to good use xD
Required fields are marked *
thursdaynexxt
January 10, 2014 at 4:11 PM
I know, right? That tofu and bossam looked so good, not to mention the eel! (I wonder if the actors ever get tired of all that eating?!)
For me, I still love YFAS and PM & I and Miss K, but I really can't wait to see Let's Eat every week (after all, we only get 1 ep per week!)
Pretty Woman montage was just super!
I'm so glad to see that Dae-young showed his serious side, and the love triangle beginning to shape up! Ep 7 ending is so cute!!
Required fields are marked *
Sue
January 11, 2014 at 6:13 PM
And let's not forget the dog. Great actor and cute. And this is coming from a cat lady.
Required fields are marked *
25 merlyunho
January 10, 2014 at 8:40 AM
I'm really glad to see that everyone's still having daydreams from YFAS's ending.
Alien Kim Soo Hyun is really taking on the dramaland by storm. I really hope the drama could pass 30% soon. They deserve it.
Maybe the only thing that ticks me off a little bit is the fear that they won't get together in the end and he'd have to return to space. But after that last episode I got this voice in my head "Even if one of them dies in the end I don't care. Just get them as many kisses and skinships and maybe as many bed scenes as possible"
Better milk them when you still can, PD-nim.
Is anyone else as excited as I am for I Need Romance 3? After that new trailer I'm more excited than I ever was and that's saying a lot because I was excited right from they announced the lineup cast.
The storyline sounds, well, warm and the OTP got crazy chemistry to begin with.
You've got Sung Joon and Kim So Yeon and two orphans reuniting as lovers with possible hot kiss scenes and bed scenes thrown in. That just screams out awesome.
And you've also got Little Yoochun in the mix! How great is that?
I AM SOOO GOING TO BE INTO ANOTHER WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME NEXT WEEK WHEN SHERLOCK ENDS!
The 2nd episode was verrrryyyy heartwarming, oh, Sherlock's speech was downright awesome. I just read in the internet somewhere that the ending for season 3 might be an even worse cliffhanger than season 2's was. Oh, be strong, heart.
Required fields are marked *
soprection
January 10, 2014 at 8:50 AM
This is INR, honey. There will definitely be kiss and bed scenes. So anticipate that! I'm really looking forward to this season. I liked the previous two a lot but this one looks like it's keeping what was good about the old ones and adding some new fun elements (like a guy in the gang!) to shake things up and keep them fresh and the main couple have a LOT of chemistry. This season looks very steamy.
Required fields are marked *
26 Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 8:44 AM
Looking for some drama recommendations.
Seeking a Historical that has comedy and romance or action with less court intrigue. I liked Faith, GuFB, Moon that Embraces the Sun, Sungyunkwan Scandal, Arang & the Magistrate, Tree With Deep Roots, Iljimae, Jeon Woo Chi, and Chuno.
I'm going to give Can We Love? a try to see if I can fall in love with Umforce. Plus it has Kim Sung-Su (Full House), Shim Hyeong-Tak (Let's Eat), and Park Min Woo (FBRS).
Required fields are marked *
merlyunho
January 10, 2014 at 8:55 AM
I used to hate sageuks but The Princess' Man really turned me around. Even if it's filled with so much political intrigue you're going to enjoy it. Because it's meaty and the you'll root for the OTP as if they're your own and keeping the apart felt like the world's doomed.
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 9:11 AM
I stalled halfway thru Princess' Man because of the political intrigue. It just left me depressed and feeling like people can be really nasty in war and politics. It was well acted and I always thought I would get back to it *someday* to finish. Not in mid-winter tho' when I am fighting the blues from lack of sunshine. Even my love of Park Si Hoo couldn't get me thru Princess' Man.
I'll just have to wait for PSH's new Chinese film Scent.
Required fields are marked *
mommai
January 10, 2014 at 9:23 AM
You could try the Hong Sisters' Hong Gil Dong. It gets more serious towards the end, but is pretty fun and entertaining towards the beginning.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 9:40 AM
I so want to watch Tree With Deep Roots. Also Warrior Baek. I really liked King's Daughter Su Baek but I couldn't take the switched baby birth secrets. That kind of stuff bothers me no end.
Required fields are marked *
john
January 10, 2014 at 10:05 AM
Carole ~
I just recently finished Tree With Deep Roots. ( I had watched 5-6 episodes awhile back and for some reason dropped it. )
A pretty good show overall.
Required fields are marked *
Adal
January 10, 2014 at 11:15 AM
Yeah, I marathoned "Tree With Deep Roots" recently as well. It was pretty good, but really heavy fare, I felt drained when I finished. And (SPOILER) the writer had to pull a Princess Aurora in the last episode to get rid of most of the main characters - seriously lessened my enjoyment of the drama as a whole.
Required fields are marked *
atz
January 10, 2014 at 11:28 AM
I understand that your point in King's daughter. I take some comfort in knowing that the King did it for the safety of Prince and this plot line is necessary to make the story more complicated. I really like the drama more than Empress Ki because one cannot guess what would happen next and somehow in King's daughter everyone is not upfront and every one upholds his/her thought/doubt/agenda. We, viewers have to guess all the time and I am quite good at guessing but this one is a bit hard to predict. Because it is thirty min dramas, the story sometimes progresses rather slow. I like the way how the couple has been building up their relationships,,, it is far more believable.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 12:41 PM
When I was watching it, I thought it was one of the best sajeuk ever...even though much of each episode seemed to repeat stuff from the previous episode. I still think it's one of the best.
But dang, the switching! HArd to deal with.
Required fields are marked *
atz
January 11, 2014 at 6:54 AM
I really understand your point. I sometimes wonder about baby switching because it almost happened to me when I was born.
Spoiler's alert!
I just would like to tell you that many current viewers are impressed with their kiss scenes. We waited for it for so long but it was worth waiting for it. The pairs had much emotion. Unlike other fancy dramas, a kiss was not set up in a fancy background but we felt real and raw.
CaroleMcDonnell
January 12, 2014 at 6:21 AM
When I was a baby, my paternal grand-mother stole me from my mother. Very traumatic for my mother who talked about it all her life.
john
January 10, 2014 at 2:41 PM
Julia-
You might like the J drama OOKU. It has bromance, romance and lots of good stuff. Have some tissues ready.
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 4:21 PM
Wow, OOKU looks interesting. Thanks, John.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 11, 2014 at 6:55 AM
I loved Ooku: Arikoto Iemitsu Hen. with my beloved Masato Sakai. Never saw the first OOKU. Maybe i should.
Required fields are marked *
27 becca_boo
January 10, 2014 at 8:57 AM
Hello, beanies!
So I was in a bit of a drama slump all of last semester, but right now I'm watching pretty much everything (and resisting the urge to revisit all of my old favorites), and there are still more new dramas to come! All I can say is, putting together my capstone and keeping up with dramas is going to be crazy, and that's on top of all my regular coursework! I think I'm up for the challenge, though. : )
On to the dramas!
I finally, finally watched Nine. Christmas week was crazy to say the least, so to get away from all the stress, I marathoned that sucker and finished it in three days. It really was one of the best of the year and had a great take on the time travel theme.
You From Another Star - I admit that the kiss was great, but my favorite part from this week's episodes? When Song-yi confronted Min-joon about her shoes. I died laughing. Kim Soo-hyun is my favorite crotchety old man alien. The end.
Prime Minister & I - I hug my laptop after watching an episode of this show, it makes me so giddy. I mean really, could they be any cuter?
Miss Korea - Haven't watched episode 8, yet, so no spoilers please! More than willing to talk about everything before that, though. Like many others, I think, I was expecting a much lighter tone from this show, but I love, love, love that the comedy is tempered with a more mature tone and darker edge. I just want to eat it up like a tasty treat and order a second round. Lee Seon-kyun's character started out as a real loser, but now that he's coming around, he is the most swoony oppa. Those quiet scenes with just him and Ji-young are my favorites because they show that underneath everything, they genuinely care about each other. Also, they're just so cute!
Let's Eat - Haven't watched this week's episode yet, but I love everything so far. I thought ep. 7 did such a great job of high-lighting how far Soo-kyung and Dae-young had come in their relationship, just as it was falling apart. I can't wait to see how Soo-kyung regains his trust. Personally, I want a little groveling.
Deja Vu - This show is crazy and boring by turns, and hands-down the worst waste of a time travel premise that I can remember. And I've seen a lot of time travel shows and movies. Surprisingly, the only interesting character is the antagonist, Yo Xi. I am absolutely fascinated by her, and although she is hateful and I dislike her intensely, I can't bring myself to really hate her. She's lived her whole life with a mother who has actively poisoned her mind and heart, filling her with insecurities and basically destroying her personality. My one hope for this show is that she comes out of it a stronger person who can break away from her mother's insecurities and lead her own life. It probably won't happen, but I'm going to watch anyway.
20's - Short and sweet. So sweet, in fact, it might have given my a cavity, but I loved every minute of it. I only wish we had actually SEEN the couple get back together, instead of just being told that it happened. Ah, well, I guess there just wasn't time. Still, it was cute and Lee Ki-kwang is adorable.
Still watching Will You Love and Give it Away?, although I am terribly behind. I've seen up to ep 21, though, and I'm still really enjoying it. The situations may be a little crazy at times, but I like that, for the most part, the characters are layered and relatable. Now if we could just see less of Mi-joo's dad, brother, and...
Required fields are marked *
MapleSilver
January 10, 2014 at 9:37 AM
Yes, give me more moments with LSK and LYH. Their romance needs to me more prominently featured, given more air time. It's a romantic drama after all. I love that he respects her space, that she can't give him more than what she gives him now, that there is no guarantee she would go back to him. She is giving him too many mixed signals without seeming to realize it.
Required fields are marked *
soprection
January 10, 2014 at 12:49 PM
I agree about the spotlighting of the progress of the relationship in Let's Eat. SooKyung likes to think and act like DaeYoung doesn't mean anything to her but that's clearly not the case. When she found out that he really had a genuine alibi and everyone at the office railed at her for reporting him, it was the first time she's ever seemed honestly upset in the show. You could see that it really affected her and she was super remorseful.
Required fields are marked *
28 MapleSilver
January 10, 2014 at 9:05 AM
Miss Korea: finally the pace is picking up and things are happening left and right. I really enjoyed the last episode. I can really relate to Ji Young's family natural tendency to protect her from the brutality of the pageant at the same time feeling completely crushed for her if she didn't make it. That was so well done.
The romance has not quite bloomed yet although Hyun Joon shows signs of liking her again. It's so realistically portrayed, in real life feelings come back without any one defining moment. So for now it is one sided although Ji Young is definitely giving him mixed signals. It's probably wise on Ji Young's side to be cautious since she was completely heart broken after their last breakup.
Can't wait for next week. Is anyone else still watching and loving it?
Required fields are marked *
magnus
January 10, 2014 at 9:32 AM
I'm glad it picked up too. I was mostly watching for character interaction before and I noticed that the plot wasnt zipping by like in some other dramas but the last two episodes picked up in the amount of things happening.
I think her family is wonderfully portrayed. I love to watch them when they're being funny and when they're being really sincere and looking out for her.
Goodness, I felt so much in episode 8 though, I distinctly remember nearly screaming at my screen when those girls cornered Ji Young and started cutting up her pads and everything. I felt violated for her. What's going to happen next I wonder now that she (POTENTIAL SPOILER) hasnt won the competition. I really don't know where itll go next with the company and how thisll effect the romance.
I can't wait for next Wednesday!
Required fields are marked *
damianna
January 10, 2014 at 11:36 PM
Hi. Just finished ep8 and oh my hearts breaks! *spoilers*. What did the 1st winner drink actually? The translation was 'malt water' and it made me wonder if they can't drink that. I hope she gets disqualified anyway and Ji Young could be 2nd runner up and the underdogs will be happy again. They seriously need a break.
i'm loving this so much.
Required fields are marked *
Enz
January 12, 2014 at 5:49 AM
I am behind on it but am loving it so much. Love oh ji young. Love hyun joong. Love the ensemble cast of desperate people in desperate situations, trying everything to survive.
Best quote "there are no breasts that are embarrassing. All breasts makes the heart flutter.' Something like that. Funny and poignant at the same time
Required fields are marked *
29 magnus
January 10, 2014 at 9:21 AM
This is my first time on an open thread. Hello everyone!
Is anyone watching potato star? Its funny and I love it and want to gush about it to people :)
So glad hulu is streaming it subbed but they're very infrequent. Are people watching it on another site?
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 9:34 AM
I stopped...should start again.
Welcome!
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 9:34 AM
Welcome, magnus! i like Potato Star and catch it on gooddrama dot net and also mykpopnote dot com - which, by the way, has tons of stuff on it (subbed and raw, it can be overwhemling). It is the only place I have found subbed Laws of the Jungle with Chanyeol, so cute!) Most of the stuff I watch, though, is on gooddrama dot com or viki dot com (although viki has become more difficult to maneuver, not sure why-not as user-friendly). But, as I mentioned in my post, the subbing schecule has been rather inconsistent recently, which is not a complaint because I totally realize it is volunteer and I so appreciate that, but as far as having a 'regular' watch time - it's been off.
anyhoot, glad to have another POV on DB!
Required fields are marked *
magnus
January 10, 2014 at 10:26 AM
Thanks for the websites! Glad to be here and share my thoughts with everyone on DB. Its part of why I love watching kdramas so much.
Required fields are marked *
Enz
January 10, 2014 at 9:58 AM
Magnus, i LOVE potato star and when there werent so many dramas to keep up with, i love it enough to watch RAW! But ive stopped that coz i am following too many and enjoying them all. But ya, potato star is excellent!
Required fields are marked *
magnus
January 10, 2014 at 10:31 AM
Honestly if I found the show during my break I would've been watching RAW too. I feel the love that causes me to watch RAW episodes of dramas the second they're uploaded for PS. But then the new year rolled around and brought all these great kdramas. Theres so much on my plate now! I think it's a great start to the year so far with more to come (I Need Romance 3!) :) especially since last year wasnt a great drama year for me.
Required fields are marked *
aznative
January 10, 2014 at 6:52 PM
Hi magnus. I started Potato Star on Hulu+. Only seen about 4 episodes, but it's cute so far. Don't know if it's available on another site or not, sorry. tvN has probably aired about 60 or so episodes (started the last week of September and airs M-Th), but I guess we'll just have to be patient and take what we can get on Hulu+.
Required fields are marked *
30 Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 9:25 AM
Anyone else have the mid-winter blues?
I find myself grumpy and taking it out on the poor innocent dramas that are trying to entertain me. Lots of fits and starts with trying to find something to watch.
Example: I thought it would be nice to see some more UhmForce, so I started watching Fight. I made it 3 minutes. HE"S DEAD!!!! Sorry, but my new requirement for watching a drama is that the character has to be alive. Dropped that like a hot potato. I know logically that there has to be some explanation if I was just more patient ... but I'm too grumbly to be reasonable.
I'm much cheerier in the Spring. It is coming soon, right?
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 9:50 AM
Now that you mention it, JBB, I said to a friend one evening that I was grouchy and couldn't pinpoint why. Maybe cabin fever, or I think it might be because I have to decide on that other pt job situation, and I'd rather not actually have to think about it at all. Plus Christmas has come and gone, and I miss my family that lives away. But it is super sunny today (blinding, in fact), lthough cold, so I think I'll head out for coffee and a little drive with my little nanny charge in tow. Nothing blows away the grouches for me better than a out-of-the-city ride - I love driving on long stretches with only scenery on the horizon and the sky. A mountain ride is even better.
Total drama requirement - live actors :). Maybe the heaviness of Woman is why I just can't do the last 3 episodes - is it because I'm grouchy or that watching it made me grouchy?
Springtime in the Rockies - I'm wit'chyou on that!
Required fields are marked *
31 n
January 10, 2014 at 9:26 AM
Hello.
Finally the drama I had been waiting started. It's Can We Love with Uhm Force. Only 2 episodes aired but I like everything about it. It is well written, acted. I think you people should give it a try.
I am also watching Prime Minister and I. I finished episode 7, and i enjoy it a lot.
Required fields are marked *
32 Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 9:32 AM
Do I need to watch I Need Romance 1 & 2 before watching I Need Romance 3, or are they independent?
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 9:51 AM
I do know that you didn't have to watch 1 to watch 2, so I'm guessing that 3 is independent of 1 and 2 ~ I can't wait! I did enjoy 1 a lot and 2 pretty much.
Required fields are marked *
33 Enz
January 10, 2014 at 10:05 AM
Just saw the preview of epi 8 lets eat and am excited that the two worlds of my dramas are colliding :) sang woo in his character in warm word is coming on lets eat looking for a divorce lawyer! Cant wait.
Required fields are marked *
kopytko
January 10, 2014 at 10:22 AM
Haha! Saw it too. I am sooooo curious what they will do about that. Looks like we are in for a funny twist on Warm Words. BTW, I noticed that the scary medium from Master's Sun appeared as a fortune reader in WW. Seems like a little trend.
Required fields are marked *
Enz
January 10, 2014 at 10:29 AM
Ahhh, i still need to watch epi 10 warm word and so behind with miss korea!!
Required fields are marked *
kopytko
January 10, 2014 at 10:40 AM
Both are good :)
Required fields are marked *
34 Petmink
January 10, 2014 at 10:31 AM
Got my mom addicted to kdramas!! She is watching My Princess right now so I started watching it too.
I am moving to Portland next week. Any beanies there that want to hang out and watch dramas together?
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 1:17 PM
Sharing your addiction ... is there anything better? Big thumbs up.
Required fields are marked *
35 MistyIsles
January 10, 2014 at 10:32 AM
Happy Friday, Everyone!
Just started my last semester at University, which is extremely bittersweet. But! I'm going to Japan this summer, and my roommate and I should be hearing soon (I hope) if we get to study abroad for an extra semester in Seoul this fall!
Anyway, on to dramas, etc.:
Finally got around to starting School 2013!
First impression: sooo many familiar faces!
Second impression: wow, Kwak Jung Wook has changed significantly for every role I've seen him in. And it just emphasizes how tall the entire cast of White Christmas was, because he's not actually as tiny as he always seemed in that.
Third impression, now that I'm 11 episodes in: well, it didn't take me 11 episodes to figure this out, but Lee Jong Suk and Kim Woo Bin are just electric together. Seems like almost every time they're on screen together, I find myself holding my breath. (I think after I finish, I'll have to re-watch that episode of Running Man that they both guested on.) It's really refreshing, too, to have a drama primarily about friendship instead of romance, because love really comes in all different forms that are just as compelling.
Finally, I love how there is so much attention given to the side characters (especially the kids). They're real people with real goals and problems, and I just want to hug all of them.
Running Man: Between wanting to finish School 2013 before I Need Romance and Age of Feeling start next week and a terrible internet connection, something had to be pushed back, and this week it was Running Man. I'll catch up over the weekend, though.
Cool Kiz: Another great game (and win)! They really found something great with basketball, though all the near-injuries over the last couple of months were really starting to worry me. So excited to see the badminton team back next episode!-- I hope most, if not all, are able to be there. But sad that Changmin's dropping after basketball is done. :( Considering he's the reason I started watching in the first place, it'll take some getting used to him not being there -- reminds of when I ran out of Running Man episodes with Joong Ki in them.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 11:31 AM
Sorry to have to say bye to Changmin too. It was cool to see John Park get newcomer of the year award and he is growing on me at a rapid pace. Do we know who will replace Changmin? I feel the same way about Chanyeol leaving Laws of the Jungle because of EXO's schedule (He is being replaced by Suju's Siwan, so okay, that works). I'll miss his super cuteness and long lean-ness, though
Required fields are marked *
MistyIsles
January 10, 2014 at 2:57 PM
Yeah, John Park has really grown on me as well. I don't know if they plan to replace Changmin with another fixed member or not.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 12:43 PM
oh my gosh! Changmin left? HE was so sweet...and so afraid of getting hurt. But...they gave a goodbye cake to jeongjin when jeongjin left...did i miss the Changmin goodbye cake?
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 2:01 PM
Yes, they had a goodbye cake in the locker room with 9 candles for his #9 basketball jersey.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 10, 2014 at 3:05 PM
the #9 was jeongjing's though, wasn't it?
Required fields are marked *
MistyIsles
January 10, 2014 at 3:49 PM
Yes--Changmin is #14.
MistyIsles
January 10, 2014 at 2:59 PM
I think there's supposed to be one last basketball episode after the badminton special, and that will be Changmin's last one as well.
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 1:19 PM
A good bromance is my favorite thing to watch. Yeah School 2013!
Required fields are marked *
36 Adal
January 10, 2014 at 11:35 AM
So, Pretty Man (Bel Ami) ends. I was going to give it a 5 out of 5 because I love the plot and the lessons learned from Ma Te's experiences and the ending wasn't bad but something kept nagging at me. I realized that even after ep. 14 Ma Te's affection for Bo Tong was more cerebral than emotional. Seriously, they lack chemistry. She has more real chemistry with David Choi than she does with Ma Te and a hell of a lot more skinship overall.
I mean after 14 episodes Ma Te finally gives her a hug? And a kiss in the last scene of ep. 16? My sympathies turned to Ma Te after he learned what a b**** he had as a mother, but even that was not enough to make up for lack of chemistry in the Oppa-donseng relationship he has with Bo Tong. And the finally introduced angst in the last two episodes of the show - felt kind of inconsistent with the show as a whole.
Oh well. The similarities between JKS's character in Bel Ami and You're beautiful are striking. They both play guys with uncaring mothers,who are emotionally disconnected and distant from their feelings.
Another pet peeve of mine - some viewers may like this, but I really resented how they threw a bone to David Choi in the ending of ep. 16 by introducing him to another wacky character just like him (I saw something similar in FBND), as a sort of consolation prize. So, we are supposed to believe that Bo Tong will never, ever get over Ma Te, but David Choi will get over Bo Tong? What makes her love for MaTe any more special than that DC has for her?
Just ranting. Glad Bel Ami's over though. 'Cause I can't wait for Inspiring Generation next week. I hope it's good!
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 1:23 PM
I'm the type of viewer that the writers threw in a girl for David at the end. I was so head-over-heels in love with the second lead that it soothed my soul to think he would find happiness later. David will remain a far more vivid character in my mind than the Pretty MaTe.
Required fields are marked *
windsun33
January 11, 2014 at 2:51 PM
I liked IU in Bel Ami, did not care much for Ma Te's character at all.
Required fields are marked *
37 Spi
January 10, 2014 at 11:42 AM
Arg I just finished Bel Ami/ Beautiful Man. Okay not the greatest show ever but it was solidly written, and the acting was good. I had fun with it and it also gives me some food for thoughts some time.
Required fields are marked *
38 Do-ra-ma
January 10, 2014 at 11:46 AM
So after going nearly half a year w/o watching any current dramas (Good Doctor was the last one), I decided to check out the new ones from this month and the previous. Rom-coms had been seriously lacking last year it seemed, and there's quite a number of them right now... Unfortunately, I can't seem to want to watch any of them past episode 1! >_<
Am I missing something? Because I tried You From Another Star's first episode and...it felt scatter-brained. Like, what type of show do you wanna be? A genre show? A rom-com? A satire of the entertainment industry? A story about lonely people in an apartment building? I think for a first episode, it should have stuck with a more clear theme. But, everyone seems to love it and I only saw the one episode... It's always a bit of a downer when everyone loves a drama that you can't seem to click with.
I also checked out Miss Korea's first episode and I was digging it...until the extended flashback in the second half of the episode. I dunno why that is. But, the two main characters suddenly came across rather shallow to me in that scene and I was put-off. Or rather, the main girl did. Yeah, she's pretty, but her personality and characterization right there were not attractive to me. Agh, and I was liking it up until then.
I did watch the first TWO episodes of the Prime Minister & I! And Can We Love?! The former is extremely light and fluffy - like cotton candy; the latter is interesting with a cast of characters whose lives all seem to be interconnected in some way and are all burdened with some angst. I'll probably get back to those two, because they entertained me and didn't give me any weird feelings of "I-feel-like-I'm-supposed-to-like-this-but-I'm-not-what's-wrong-with-me."
After feeling disappointed that none of the shows hooked me, I've gone back and started rewatching Greatest Love & Protect The Boss for the umpteenth time (my two favourite rom-coms of all time). Anyways, that's my weird rambling rant(?). Should I give some of these shows another shot? Or should I not push myself if I didn't feel anything from them?
Required fields are marked *
ktiep
January 10, 2014 at 12:07 PM
The thing about Protect the Boss is it has a rare combination where you care about all of the characters. I rewatched it over Christmas and found I didn't want to skip anything.
After being burned by some dramas, I'm starting to wait so I can just marathon them if they turn out to be good. That gives me the added bonus of not having to wait between episodes.
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 1:38 PM
The thing that surprises me about the current crop of rom/coms is that people seem to have a wide range of reactions to them. Some LOVE LOVE LOVE one, but are meh about the others. Some HATE HATE HATE one that triggers a strong reaction. Others are BORED, finding this one or that trite, with no characters to latch on to emotionally.
I just keep comparing the rom/coms and finding it fascinating that reactions are so split.
The tone of these dramas does range from light and fluffy to gritty realism.
I think the dramas that work for us viewers are the ones that emotionally resonate. Forming that connection is as unique as falling in love and dependent on where we are coming from.
Keep the faith. Dramaland will make more dramas, so the next true love may be just around the corner for you. In the mean time, nothing wrong with rewatching a favorite like Protect the Boss or Greatest Love. My favorites never fail to leave me feeling warm after every viewing and those 2 are on my short list of favorites too.
Required fields are marked *
39 ktiep
January 10, 2014 at 12:00 PM
Hi Beanies! This week I did some catching up on everything in my life. Feeling pretty accomplished right now.
Dramas
Pretty Man -- Did Ma Te forget how to kiss? Did one of the actors have the flu and didn't want the other to get it? I mean, if I had been devoted to a man for ten years and he FINALLY kissed me with that kiss, I would have totally Friend-zoned him.
Priminister & I -- I think that preview scene where he gives her flowers is just a dream sequence she will have. I hope not, but that's the way this drama has been going. Please writers, don't ruin it for us.
Downer, I mean Downton Abbey -- I loved S1 and S2, but S3 started killing people off. I do think the actress who plays Mary is magnificent. Her grief was so real. ANYWAY, why is is okay to talk with people (around here) about Downton Abbey, but as soon as I mention a K-Drama, they roll their eyes? I would love it if my mother or sister would watch a K-drama so we could talk about it instead of Downer Abbey.
Running Man -- I don't watch this regularly, but I just caught the recent one with Lee Seung-gi as a guest. The thing about that show is I find myself howling with laughter at it. It's silly, really, but it stimulates my endorphins.
Required fields are marked *
Petmink
January 10, 2014 at 1:48 PM
I agree with the part about Downtown Abbey. My sister is a huge fan of it and Jane Austen type stuff but she has never tried a kdrama and can't see why I am so captivated by them.
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 3:38 PM
haha Donwer... Well, I watch both kdramas and Downton Abbey. In kdramas, family members insult one another at the dinner table with flapping arms and oh-so-loud voices shouting, "Do you want to die?" in England, they insult one another with painfully snide comments in between, "Would you pass the salt?" and a dignified, "Will you be accepting the invitation to tea on the fortnight?"
Both are addicting~
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 3:40 PM
err Downer...
Required fields are marked *
August
January 10, 2014 at 7:46 PM
Likewise...
I watch kdramas and Downton Abbey (past and current seasons).
"Running Man - I don’t watch this regularly...The thing about that show is I find myself howling with laughter at it. It’s silly, really, but it stimulates my endorphins."--ktiep
I totally agree with your description/summation of the reaction/mood that one experiences after watching an episode of Running Man.
Required fields are marked *
iamdeb
January 13, 2014 at 4:43 PM
People roll their eyes at me when I mention kdramas until they sit down one day while i'm watching one and get HOOKED. They are the ones that start pestering me to put on the next episode!
Required fields are marked *
40 Jaime the Drama Noona
January 10, 2014 at 1:02 PM
Hello!!
I'm fairly new to the dramaverse, closing in on 9 months addicted to Asian dramas. I've watched about twenty so far and have managed to get my husband addicted to them too!
The project that I'm currently working on is a story based on what I love about dramas. I've titled it Heart Murmurs. It is a work in progress and a story that is totally just for fun! I'd welcome suggestions, helpful critiques, and advice.
You can find the story here, http://dramanoona.wordpress.com/
May the drama gods be good to you all!
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 1:50 PM
What does hubbie like in Asian dramas?
I adore Man From Nowhere (Ajusshi), Chaser, Ong Bak Warrior, and 13 Assassins for some rousing action films. I loved the car chase in Confession of a Murderer. Girlscouts too has a lot of action plus humor.
So what would other folks think are great Asian offerings to share with the man you love?
Required fields are marked *
mashimomo
January 10, 2014 at 3:11 PM
“So what would other folks think are great Asian offerings to share with the man you love?”
You would be surprised - my husband LOVES 49 Days and he is currently live watching You Who Came from the Stars with me. He actually could not wait for the next episode and he had to tell me to hurry up and catch up since I was behind 2 episodes! We watched one of Jeon Ji hyun movies (Blood the Last Vampire) a while back, and I didn’t even make the connection until he pointed it out to me. We have a pretty wide range of preference in movies and shows and can watch melodramas but not too overtly dramatic shows. I’m really more of the drama watcher while he is the movie watcher.
Looking thru our Netflix queue for Asian movies and from the top of my memory, him and I have watched these Asian releases: Oldboy, The Host, The Ring, Grudge, Ninja Assassin, Ghost (the Korean/Japanese version), House of Flying Daggers, Heaven’s Postman, Infernal Affairs. I’m sure there’s more that I’m forgetting but these are the ones that stuck with me for now.
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 4:27 PM
Mashimomo - sounds like you've got a keeper there :-)
Required fields are marked *
mashimomo
January 10, 2014 at 5:18 PM
LOL - I should tell him this when he sleeps in on the weekends and leaves me to do housework and take care of little one ;) Seriously though, we both love movies and tv which connected us in the beginning.
Jaime - I clicked on your main blog post... all i can say is GONG YOO OPPAaaa! I can't say OPPAAAAA very much for the crop of gorgeous guys coming out of S. Korean entertainment, so I say it as much as I can when applicable. But I'm all for Noona fangirling for sure ;)
Jaime the Drama Noona
January 12, 2014 at 1:19 AM
The hubby and I have watched Master's Sun, Vampire Prosecutor 1 & 2, I Hear Your Voice, and are currently watching Mr Girlfriend is a Gumiho. We've got City Hunter, Good Doctor, School 2013, and Future Diary lined up for our next dramas when we finish Gumiho.
We've watched all the movies the both of you have listed! That's how I got him interested at first, was through Asian movies.
Mashimom, that is exactly why I created the Oppa edition on my blog. It is rare that I can call a drama-crush Oppa and when I am able to I want to be sure to shout it out to the world!
Required fields are marked *
41 Aimee
January 10, 2014 at 1:12 PM
Random question to fellow drama lovers out there,
why is it that when two characters of the opposite sex hug, the male has his arms around the girl, while the female just has her hands idly at her sides?
I can understand when the male kinda forcibly hugs the girl and has one-sided feelings for her (since it happens often), but what about those times when both characters are in a relationship and she STILL does that?
Sometimes I'll see the girl hug back or even initiate the hug (that's crazy, I know) but I'm just curious to know why the girl is mostly just...unresponsive. It's just something I've observed, what do you all think?
Thanks! :) Have a good weekend everyone!
Required fields are marked *
Petmink
January 10, 2014 at 1:53 PM
Umm. this is just a thought. But perhaps actresses don't want to appear too forward and tarnish their image so they kind of hang back and let the guys make all the moves since they don't get the same amount of scrutiny. Does that make sense?
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 2:01 PM
I assumed that the girl is shocked or overwhelmed. I think being timid at first is OK for some female characters, but I get all swoony when she is ready to respond too and wraps her hands around him so it is obviously reciprocal.
If I can reach far back into my innocent past, I responded more like a shy, blushing girl from In A Good Way. I am attracted to the innocence Korean dramas portray. I'd like to believe there are still some people in the world who are virgins on their wedding night.
Required fields are marked *
42 Geodude
January 10, 2014 at 1:27 PM
Have anyone seen the TW drama "In a Good Way"?
I know this is a kdrama blog but just putting out there, that it is one of the well written, directed, and paced dramas I have watched this year.
It's set in the 90s in a unviersity/college setting similar to the reply 94/97 series (only its way better imo) and is a slice of life drama.
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 2:13 PM
I'm with you watching In A Good Way. It hits an emotional chord with me and is well on its way of becoming my #1 favorite TDrama.
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 2:28 PM
I read about the Pop Ko Chum Law Drum Dance with it's supposed seductive effect on the audience. There was reference to some 16th century monk getting seduced by a giseang with that dance.
So ... has it appeared in any drama?
I have a vague memory of a girl peeking over a wall and spotting a woman with a monk, but didn't see the dance in that drama. I think Gu had someone learning to play the drums, is that it?
At this point, all Korean folk dances look the same to me, so I need some educating. I found a list of folk dances at the Korean Performing Arts Center, but it didn't list the Law Drum Dance.
Any help would be appreciated Beanies. :-)
Required fields are marked *
halfmoon
January 10, 2014 at 2:55 PM
Comment was deleted
Required fields are marked *
JJK
January 11, 2014 at 12:18 AM
Me watching IAGW too!!! I haven't been watching T dramas for quite some time so it took me the first few episodes to re-accustom myself (from the K drama setting) to the vibe/lighting etc of the show. Then the rest is history. I won't say that the show is trying to achieve anything new, but there's this simplicity/lowkeyness/heartwarmingness/cuteness of the show that really got me hooked. I am LITERALLY beaming from ear to ear during each episode. Not even YFAS can do that to me.
Required fields are marked *
jomo143
January 11, 2014 at 8:07 PM
LOVE IAGW
Love Liu Chuan this much.
It hits all the right chords with me, from loving from afar and then, from too close when you can't have him/her.
The friendships feel real, and watching them grow up with each other is delightful.
Required fields are marked *
iamdeb
January 13, 2014 at 4:53 PM
I keep hearing so many good things about it. I'll definitely be checking it out later.
Required fields are marked *
43 Dani
January 10, 2014 at 1:28 PM
Waikikiiii :''''''''''''''''DDDD
Miss Korea fans, can we discuss about Director Ma's fur glasses? LOL
But really, the serie is getting better and better to the point I am feeling so anxious while watching, I don't want it to finish. I really want the week to go faster so I can see what Director Ma is going to do about the girl who drank the malted water, is she going to reveal it to the press??? does it mean that the girl is married?
I can even imagine that gangster going crazy in the next episode, ugh I can't like his character.
Required fields are marked *
owl
January 10, 2014 at 2:03 PM
Only President Ma could wear those glasses. And her echoing laugh at the end of the episode - so wickedly confident!!
Required fields are marked *
Dani
January 10, 2014 at 8:18 PM
that part was so creepy lol she couldn't stop laughing
Mwhaahahahah!!!
Required fields are marked *
44 ty
January 10, 2014 at 1:33 PM
i just have one question regarding the sageuk dramas about iljimae...
lee jun ki's iljimae and jung il woo's iljimae have nothing in common except for the hero right? like, for example, jung il woo's iljimae isnt a sequel to lee jun ki's right?
i was just wondering because ive been wanting to watch the return of iljimae for a while, but wasnt sure whether it was a "sequel" of sorts...
Required fields are marked *
Petmink
January 10, 2014 at 1:55 PM
nope, not a sequel. They are just both based on the same character and came out around the same time. They were on two different channels.
Required fields are marked *
atz
January 10, 2014 at 2:05 PM
They are nothing to do with each other. I watched both of them. The Return of Iljimae has great cinematography. The acting is good however I personally prefer Jung Il woo play a role of a man who has some mischievous/arrogant behavior,, ie Cha chi So from FBRS. Here his role is quite serious in his nature.
Required fields are marked *
45 Shadow-chan
January 10, 2014 at 1:51 PM
Hi everyooone~!
Wah, I'm so out of it today... Just now I seriously thought "Huh?! Why is there an OT on Thurs- oohhh...!"
-.-"
It's not like I didn't KNOW today was Friday, no... bah...
Anyway, I caught up to a lot of dramas in the last weeks - finished both Heirs and AM1994 and only need to watch this weeks episodes of PM&I and YFAS (erm, is that the "official" abbreviation? xD). Well, I've actually always been up to date with those two dramas, cause I simply LOVE them .<
I'm still terribly behind on Pretty Man, but to be honest, despite all my love for IU and JGS's voice, I'm not really motivated to continue it... I mean, I even stopped in the middle of episode 6 to watch something else, I'd say that's not the best sign ever. :/
In terms of not directly drama related stuff:
My belated Christmas-present-for-myself came on Monday: A Jo Jung Suk calendar <3 <3
I only barely contained myself from squeeing out loud xD
Speaking about JJS and squeeing: The Face Reader will be released on DVD in SK this month, whooo!
(Or is it already out...? Not so sure, but I saw the 24th and the 28th as release dates on Yesasia and another site...)
The best thing is: It has english subtitles, double-whoo!!
I'm seriously considering throwing around money I don't have and buying the fancy limited edition, you know, just to own it, because I'd also have to buy a region code free DVD player to actually WATCH it... xD
Ahh, the fangirl is strong in me!
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 2:08 PM
Buying a little gift for the fan in you, I fully support.
I'm still having a ridiculous amount of fun with my $10 purchase of Hwatu cards to play Go Stop. A bit proud that when Prime Minister & I had the Dad call asking if Godari, Chohan, and Chunghan was 11 points and I knew what that meant.
Anyone else get or receive drama-related gifts?
Required fields are marked *
Shadow-chan
January 10, 2014 at 2:19 PM
Ah, I also got (as in: someone else bought it for me :D ) "My Sassy Girl" on DVD - yay for the Amazon wishlist that makes it so easy for everyone to buy that strange stuff! ^^
Required fields are marked *
Shadow-chan
January 10, 2014 at 3:07 PM
Oh, and I'm also SO happy that KBS World started uploading 1N2D season 1! <3
They didn't actually start from ep 1 (although they call it that...), but I couldn't care less, it's just seriously funny.
But I love KBS World anyway - and get all my variety shows from there, since they're the only ones available xD
Too bad our satellite dish is adjusted to the wrong satellite so I can't watch it on TV... Though we actually do get Arirang TV (and NHK World) but it seems that always when I remember that we do (and my parents aren't home), nothing good's ever on xD
Required fields are marked *
46 Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 2:03 PM
I want to hunt down and shoot whatever is causing the Database Errors on Connection. With the LIKE button gone, I hoped it would be resolved, but I still get them (although not as often).
Anyone else still getting these errors as of Friday, Jan 10?
Required fields are marked *
Tara
January 10, 2014 at 2:18 PM
I still do, and I'm amazed my post for today's OT posted without any errors...
Required fields are marked *
Shadow-chan
January 10, 2014 at 2:23 PM
Oh, so that's why the Like-buttons are gone again? :/
Required fields are marked *
LoveSilents
January 10, 2014 at 4:18 PM
Yes, I am and I agree it is getting old!
Required fields are marked *
windsun33
January 11, 2014 at 3:03 PM
I have not gotten any in the past couple of days, but have not posted that much.
Required fields are marked *
47 Tara
January 10, 2014 at 2:17 PM
Hi everyone...~
Happy New Year!! A week late nonetheless, but haven't been able to post here on OT for the past two weeks due to the "error establishing database." Kinda got peeved because I'd written a stream of consciousness, hit submit and it got lost x\ Here's to hoping that this'll post...and, of course, gonna copy first so I won't lose it this time!
Anyway...I've been dealing with chronic migraines for the past month or so--it's been a drag x/ It's led me to dramatically cut down on drama watching--it's kinda hard to watch when you feel like bashing your head in x/
A Little Love Never Hurts: Why does Jae-min have to continue to sacrifice himself for Mi-ju?? Same goes for Ha-kyung...I don't see any problematic situations, except that their significant others had once dated each other. Honestly, I can't stand Mi-ju...she's been selfish from the beginning, dumping poor Jae-min because he wasn't "up to par." I kinda find it odd that she's in "shock" over finding out that Ha-rim comes from a good family...ugh. I'm also watching this for Jae-min's dad and Mi-ju's mom...normally don't really care for older couples, but I like how their story is developing. Mi-ju's brother and wife are grating and gold-digging his mom, which is pathetic.
Miss Korea: Finally got around to starting this. I've seen up to ep4, and I'm liking it. Yeah, it's shallow because it's dealing with beauty pageantry...but it's at least different from the typical drama material as of late.
Empress Ki: Really got into it from the beginning, but now? Haven't watched the last few episodes. It started to drag for me, and kinda lost interest...especially since now Sung-nyang is a palace maid and not kickass anymore x/
I'll post more later, gotta get back to work ;) Here's to hoping 2014 will be a great year!
Required fields are marked *
spazmo
January 10, 2014 at 2:48 PM
wrt Empress Ki:
ep 19
*sob* *sniff*
ep 20
*swoooooon*
stay with it... it is very good!
; )
Required fields are marked *
kopytko
January 10, 2014 at 3:00 PM
Miss Korea is not shallow! It is about a pageant, but if you watch further episodes you'll see, that it isn't about being pretty. There is much more to it: finding your own way in life, setting aims, loyalty, relationships. Also what it means to be beautiful, but as a whole person, not just skin-deep.
Required fields are marked *
Tara
January 10, 2014 at 6:37 PM
What I meant the actual topic itself, not the drama--should've clarified that...my bad. You pointing that out actually made me realize that I missed finishing that paragraph, lol ;)
From the first three episodes, I can see that Ji-young is feisty and fierce (a la Tyra)...and I really like that--yayyy for the continuing trend of strong female leads!!! I like that she has a strong foundation of male figures in her life--Dad, Grandpa, Uncle and older bro--and how Vivi is similar, with Hwa-jung as brains of the op (in the lab), and the back up she has with Hyung-jun, Hong-sam and Kang-woo.
By the way, I'm getting vibes of Pasta from just the music (I'm aware it's the same writer, PD and band)...where Yu-kyung was similar in the way you described--how she finds the five things you mention--finding her way in life, setting and achieving goals, loyalty, relationships and beauty from within. Which is why I'm liking Miss Korea, three episodes in :)
Required fields are marked *
48 Lizzy4e
January 10, 2014 at 2:19 PM
North Texas Beanies!!!
[b]The Suspect[/b] starring Gong Yoo is showing at the AMC Grapevine.
I recommend viewing all Korean Films on the Big Screen asap because you never know when the theater will move them out of rotation. (I missed Face Reader because I hesitated.)
Required fields are marked *
Lizzy4e
January 10, 2014 at 2:20 PM
Facepalm~me and html~sigh
Required fields are marked *
Lizzy4e
January 10, 2014 at 2:36 PM
Is this how I do bold?
Required fields are marked *
spazmo
January 10, 2014 at 2:51 PM
the Seattle Times gave it 3 out of 4 stars and a rave review! playing north and south of seattle, probably just for one week.
Required fields are marked *
Lixie
January 10, 2014 at 3:25 PM
Gong-Yoo at the big screen? Envy. :P
Required fields are marked *
spazmo
January 10, 2014 at 4:51 PM
i know, right?
; )
*drool*
Required fields are marked *
spazmo
January 12, 2014 at 4:29 PM
the movie was EXCELLENT!!!
Required fields are marked *
49 monologue
January 10, 2014 at 3:46 PM
I'm kind of dead from 20 years old. I'm a fan of Gikwang so I would've watched it anyway, but it was way better than I expected. It's the kind of fluffy thing you can watch and feel really cheered up after. I never identify that much with straight girl characters, but I really really liked Hyerim. I really want to see Lee Da In in another role. I also didn't expect proper kissing, maybe they didn't care cause it was originally online?
I've been watching Let's Eat closely every week and I really like the pacing. I thought I would be in a rush for it to turn into a romance, but I like how it's going slowly and staying kind of mysterious. And I really like how much they focus on food. I think I'll really miss this drama when it's over just because of all the food showcasing.
Otherwise I'm trying to decide whether to watch Pretty Man, You From Another Star and Miss Korea. My Korean friends are definitely in the You From Another Star camp. Can anyone watching Miss Korea comment on how sexist it is? If it's super sexist I'll probably give it a miss.
Looking forward to Kim Hyun Joong and Kim Jae Wook in that 30s drama, I hope it's actually kind of gritty.
Also my Korean friends tipped me off about that Superman variety show with the celebrity dads (Tablo, Lee Hwi Jae etc). I checked out the first ep and it's pretty funny :D
And I'm watching all Lee Gikwang's variety TV rn. Anyone want to talk about Clucking Class or old eps of Hot Brothers? lolololol
Required fields are marked *
kopytko
January 10, 2014 at 4:18 PM
Miss Korea is by no means sexist. The girl is no cute idiot or helpless damsel in distress, who has got only her beauty going on for her. Sure, she finds hersel in all kind of situations where she is diminished or disregarded because she is a woman, but it is never excused or accepted.
Contrary to what it seems at a first glance - with a beauty pageant in title - it is a very human story. The characters are are well written, their problems are real and relatable. (Personally I like it much better than YFAS - they have problems of people who really have nothing to worry about in their lives and look for any problems to deal with.)
When you watch further episodes, you may see that the drama presents a reasonable and healthy attitude towards beauty, which is surprising in today's Korean popculture.
Required fields are marked *
monologue
January 11, 2014 at 10:08 AM
Thanks for this, this is exactly the kind of stuff I was wondering about xD
Required fields are marked *
kopytko
January 11, 2014 at 11:19 AM
I am curious about your opinion :)
Required fields are marked *
MapleSilver
January 10, 2014 at 4:57 PM
Miss Korea does not denigrate women. For example, the heroine is surrounded by men, family and potential love interest, who constantly tell her that she is beautiful the way she is, flaws and all. She is also feisty and strong and not obnoxious at all. Another example is in having the head research of the cosmetic company being a smart woman, with a PhD. The only thing you might see as sexism is the notion that wearing the crown of Miss Korea would lead to a better life, elevate your status, etc.. Not sure if this is exactly sexism though.
Required fields are marked *
monologue
January 11, 2014 at 10:09 AM
Thank you so much, this is really helpful. I think I'll give Miss Korea a look
Required fields are marked *
50 Sajen
January 10, 2014 at 7:00 PM
Am I the only one watching and really really liking Miss Korea in a way it has something in common with Man From Another Star in that I'm a little scared how much I like them so early. I love the women like seriously love them, the men are growing on me but Ji-young, and the other women I love them. Ji-young is feisty and nowhere near annoying, Hwa-jung is smart and cool, Director Ma is awesomeness incarnate, I even love the rival salon director. So far definitely a new level of awesomeness for women in Korean dramas, let's hope it sticks.
Man From Another Star, I enjoy it a lot just not as much as Miss Korea.
Prime Minister and I love it is the closest thing to a coherent thought I have.
Let's Eat I've resigned myself to the apparent fact nothing is ever going to happen and I'm o.k. with that.
I'm a little behind on my drama watching as I got behind over the hollidays and I've only been watching one or two episodes a day so I've got to catch up as I intend to start the Japanese drama Hours of my life as well as the Korean dramas Emergency Couple and I Need Romance 3.
Required fields are marked *
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
January 10, 2014 at 7:50 PM
I haven't decided if I will watch Hours of my Life. On the one hand ... Muira. On the other, my Dad died from ALS so it is a subject matter that hits close to home and might be too painful to watch.
Required fields are marked *
Sajen
January 10, 2014 at 9:33 PM
I'm sorry for your loss. I've kind of got mixed feelings about Hours of my Life as on the one hand I find stories about ALS fascinating, on the other ALS scares me more than anything else on earth, if I'm going to be trapped like that I want my mind gone too.
Required fields are marked *
CaroleMcDonnell
January 11, 2014 at 7:00 AM
I might watch this. Not sure if you should though. Sometimes re-encountering pain is a good thing, sometimes not. I always lose it emotionally when I watch dramas with dying mothers but if I manage to watch it's healing in a subtle way.
Required fields are marked *