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Premiere Watch: My Sassy Girl, Seven Day Queen, Best Hit, Duel

It’s a big week for KBS, which is launching two new shows this week, and also for sageuk romances (again, two shows this week). But the genre spread of the new offerings is fairly wide, so if period romance isn’t quite your thing, there’s also crime thriller and comedy to look forward to.

Even the two sageuks will be pretty different even if both have appealing leads, beautiful costuming, and a strong romantic bent; one veers light-hearted, while the other looks to be more dramatic. On the upside, they’re not airing on the same day, so hey, maybe you’ll have time to watch them all. (Not that overbooked schedules ever really stopped a determined drama addict from Finding A Way!)

 

My Sassy Girl

Time slot: Monday & Tuesday
Broadcaster: SBS
Genre: Historical, rom-com
Episode count: 16 (or 32, if they decide to split episodes into halves for ads)

Reasons to watch: Mixed feelings galore! My Sassy Girl is a historical drama dressed up as a romantic comedy, and I have very much enjoyed this genre in past dramas, where the humor was a key component and the sageuk element was fusion at best. As with so many historical dramas (even the lighter ones), I do expect the tone to start light and gradually transition more melo, but I’m going to enjoy as much of the comedy as it gives us while it lasts. Oh Yeon-seo (Come Back, Ajusshi) has a comic sensibility that is a little broad but can be very, very funny, and she’s not the type of actor to skimp on her commitment to a gag. And while I wouldn’t have pegged Joo-won (Yong-pal) as a funny guy after all his engrossing dramatic performances, I did see his manhwa-adapted movie Fashion King and busted a gut laughing, so I am looking forward to seeing him taking on another comedy.

I still don’t see the purpose for calling this My Sassy Girl when the story is so far afield from the original, which is not only a rom-com classic but has also spawned a lot of flopped imitators/sequels/follow-ups. You’d think they’d have learned by now that you can’t slap a title on a project and expect the magic of Cha Tae-hyun and Jeon Ji-hyun to spring up out of nowhere. And while I think the casting controversy (over auditioning a lead actress, picking a winner, and then dumping her for a name actress) shouldn’t really have any bearing the quality of the project itself, it does put a slight damper on things just by the association.

Still, I’m always up for an upbeat romance starring a strong-thinking young woman and the tsundere man who loves her. Moreover, this is Joo-won’s last project for two years; he reported for his mandatory military service two weeks ago, just after attending the drama’s press conference. Let’s hope the memory it leaves us with is a positive one. If not, I’ll just have to go watch Gaksital over again, which would probably break me all over again.

 

Seven Day Queen

Time slot: Wednesday & Thursday
Broadcaster: KBS
Genre: Historical, melodrama, romance
Episode count: 20 (or 40, with ad-induced splitting)

Reasons to watch: This story has all the elements of an epic romance, being based on real-life lovers who were torn apart by political intrigue. We did get a surprisingly light-hearted teaser, but I wouldn’t pin your hopes on that being the drama’s overall tone; the follow-up teasers were much more in line with the tragic love story about a young king and his queen, who was dethroned after just seven days.

Yeon Woo-jin is a wonderfully subtle actor who is fantastic even when his material isn’t (Introverted Boss), and he has the capability to really make me feel for his King Jungjong character, a man wants to be a good king but lives a suffocated life lest his volatile brother, tyrant king Yeonsangun, see him as a threat. Speaking of whom, Lee Dong-gun (Laurel Tree Tailors) takes a villainous turn as Yeonsangun, and I think he could really benefit from shaking up his gentle, genteel image by playing someone much darker. And I find Park Min-young (Remember–Son’s War) just plain likable, whether she’s portraying plucky or tragic, and it looks like she’ll get a chance to play both here.

Normally I would be wary of diving into a show that practically promises a sad end for the couple, but the production values look gorgeous, I’m a fan of the actors, and I’m remembering that not all shows that tout a tragic romance turn out to be full-on tragedy (I’ll never write off a show prematurely for sounding sad after Princess’s Man). And if it does turn out to be sad, sometimes a good cry can be just as cathartic as a happy ending.

 

The Best Hit

Time slot: Friday & Saturday
Broadcaster: KBS
Genre: Variety-drama, comedy
Episode count: 32 (half-hour episodes, equivalent to 16 hours)

Reasons to watch: I’m still intrigued with this idea of mixing variety elements into scripted dramas. I don’t think we’ve seen any drama figure it out yet: The Producers tried briefly before losing their nerve and dropping the variety angle entirely, and After the Show Ends was a slapdash attempt. Maybe The Best Hit will stumble too—there are no guarantees that it’ll do better than the previous examples—but my interest is piqued.

If we look at this production optimistically, there are signs that KBS is learning from their earlier missteps, and they’ve hired a veteran variety PD, Yoo Ho-jin (1 Night 2 Days), to be the main director. Moreover, they’ve paired him with his 1N2D cast member, Cha Tae-hyun (The Producers), who is credited both as actor and director; he’ll be drawing on his years of variety experience to act as a liaison between the cast and the production team, which strikes me as a clever idea. Who else would know better the needs of both sides than someone who’s been intimately familiar with both? And of course we also have Yoon Shi-yoon (Mirror of the Witch), another 1N2D alum, whom I love for his bubbly real-life personality.

The biggest question mark for me is actually the story; we’ve heard a lot about the behind-the-scenes plans for The Best Hit, but haven’t really gotten to know the setup well. The description is a vague type of “youthful people live out their struggles, loves, and relationships” deal that leaves a lot of blanks unfilled, with hints of Yoon Shi-yoon shaking up everyone’s lives. A lot will depend on how well the variety angle is executed; I’ll be hoping this comes together in a light, charming way.

 

Duel

Time slot: Saturday & Sunday
Broadcaster: OCN
Genre: Crime thriller
Episode count: 16 (full-length, normal episodes!)

Reasons to watch: Or maybe you’d rather skip the breezy comedies and jump right into the crime scene with darker characters, in which case Duel is one of a few grittier options this summer. Jung Jae-young (Assembly) is a veteran film actor who brings gravitas and intensity to his roles, and I fully expect he’ll be engrossing in this as a detective desperate to save his kidnapped daughter.

Kim Jung-eun (Oohlala Spouses) moves away from her usual image (plucky, upbeat) to be one of the drama’s villains; she’s not the criminal on the loose, but a prosecutor with a corrupt sense of morals. Sometimes it’s those institutional villains who do the most damage!

Last but not least, we have a drama taking on the topic of human clones, played here in dual performances by Yang Se-jong (Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim; Saimdang, Light’s Diary). OCN’s perennial slate of crime dramas can sometimes run together in my mind, but when you say “human clones” you’ve certainly found a way to set yourself apart from the pack. Let’s hope it’s in a good way.

 
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Lots of dramas to look forward too!

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I am waiting for big hit. Counting down for June 2

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Best Hit! Now my Friday-Saturday line-up will be filled up again! But I don't understand the schedule. 32 half-hour episodes so it'll run for 16 weeks? Or just like what Lookout and Suspicious Partner are doing? 2 episodes per day? Please enlighten me :(

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Means only 16 hours, it is only 16 episodes

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I think they use sitcom format. A half hour per eps, but 2 eps back to back in a day.

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I am going to try all of these for at least a couple of episodes. I'm most excited for The Best Hit, but I don't want to get my hopes up too much because it could go so wrong...

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Me too, expected to much for The Producers but the fact (you name it)
At least KBS learned from their previous mistakes in The Producers

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but the producer decent tho.I know first episode is boring but after that it become just a decent drama not bad or great either.but because i love the humor and the actor i made it through the end xD

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Yup, "Producers" was decent. "Producers' is an example of a program that would've been better if it was marketed as a sitcom especially if they didn't veer away from the style of the first two episodes. Variety-drama was/is such a confusing category, and the treatment of the first two episode came as a shock to viewers who are unfamiliar with mockumentary. But, I hope "Best Hit" will polish the edges this time around.

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Excited the most for Duel and The Best Hit!

Duel - the premise is interesting. With Jung Jae Young and Yang Se Jong in this drama, hopefully it will be a good one.

The Best Hit - I want to love this drama, and excited to see Yoon Shi Yoon and Lee Se Young (and the cameos) , so pls drama don't make me disappointed.

My Sassy Girl - could be a fun drama. Romcom sageuk is no longer my thing, but I love the leads so going to watch at least few epi. If it is enjoyable I will continue to watch!

SDQ - not excited with anything. The posters and teasers are gorgeous. But anything for Yeon Woo Jin - I'll at least watch few episodes for him esp this is his first lead role in sageuk. Who knows this turn out to be a good drama?

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Waiting for.. actually all of them. I will watch the first week of each and decide what I will continue watching and what I will wait for to end. Man how I am going to make time?! :(.

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Probably will check out the premieres of each. I'm looking most forward to Seven Day Queen and The Best Hit though! We'll see how things go.

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Looking forward to Best Hit to comfort me when Chicago Typewriter ends. I'm really hoping Seven Day Queen will turn out great because I'm in need of a good sageuk right now.

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Agreed. I'm watching Ruler-Master of the Mask right now but I've been looking forward to a great sageuk to hook my attention.

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Ooh I was waiting for this! Forgot what shows were next after focusing on Fight My Way and Circle this past week. xD

So KBS is following the other stations by splitting the episodes in halves too? Argh.
The Best Hit would still be a full one hour episode each Friday & Saturday, right? This variety/comedy drama seems pretty different from the other ones I'm watching so I want to give it a shot.

I didn't watch any OCN thrillers this weekend. It feels wrong. D;
Hehe~ I'm excited for Duel. Interested in seeing veteran actor Jung Jae Young's acting and also seeing Yang Se Jong in a big role.
I really hope the story is compelling.

My last sageuk was Hwarang. I like the genre, but I haven't felt motivated to watch any of the current ones. Seems to be a lot of them recently.

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Perhaps the episode count JB put is just speculation. Fight My Way premiered after SBS and MBS started their new episode count scheme, and KBS stuck to the normal episode count for that one. It's highly likely SDQ and Best Hit will still count the full hour as one episode.

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Oops I meant MBC.

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Not into sageuk nowadays tho because its all the same and i can see whats coming next it just repetitive i guess but will check 1st episode of them just in case if it hook me lol :v..And Best hit look intriguing and hope it delivers..But From all of them i Really Intrigued By Duel i hope It like orphan black(foreign drama)about clone and it was so good and im digging into the operation that make them become clone.Thanks god is not about a Twin lol.it make a little differences in genre but the output will have a huge different (maybe?)..well just see :v nowadays i dont have a high expectation and just keep as low as possible xD

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My Sassy girl doesn't look like the typical sageuk though.

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i am already overwhelmed!!! i will certainly add Seven Day Queen to my already not-caught-up bookmark tabs of dramas...

with spring/summer arriving FINALLY in the pacific northwest, i'm trying to get my backyard in shape so i can bring my laptop outside and under my market umbrella for viewing "al fresco"...

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Ok just look at my username and you will know that I'm one of those who will always skip sageuk and comedies to jump right on board with any crime drama !! Sageuk isn't my cup of tea and pure comedies isn't too !!

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After the awesome Tunnel ended, I'm glad that another crime drama is on its way !!

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There's so many dramas to watch now! Don't know how I'll keep up...

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Me and my mansized box of tissues are ready for Seven day Queen

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My non-existent social life is dead.

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Btw, is the 32 episodes with commercials confirmed for Best Hit. I don't think KBS will abide to that change like SBS and MBC did because it is a government-controlled network.

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I have nearly forgotten what Joo Won looks like, it´s been hella long.
But Best Hit looks the most interesting right now. "Blast from past" stories themselves are like straight outta 1990ies.

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My Sassy Girl looks interesting even though I'm not usually into sageuks..

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I'm super excited for Sassy Girl! I just NEED Joowon asap. I wasn't sold on the casting for the female lead after the fiasco but OYS has won me over in the teasers. Monday come fasterrrrrr.

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Forget everything else, this Premiere Watch is the best new feature of the revamped website.

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I second this. Thanks to Dramabeans Admin for adding this feature in.

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I don't know if I can find a way, my backlog drama start to get scary.
I don't like to drop drama, but I think I will too watch 2 episode and then decide what to do.

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I've already have 5 ongoing dramas per week. With Duel on board, I will have 6 ! Need to juggle all these with my body working life as well !

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Oops I mean busy. Stupid autocorrect.

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Looking forward to Best Hit, Seven Day Queen and My Sassy Girl!

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Not sure, not sure... I have never been too much into sageuks and i dont want melodrama to cry. With CT i will cry enough and it is not even a melo!

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True, but at least we know that the ending will be tragic beforehand so we can mentally prepare ourselves...box of tissues on standby.

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For anyone who needs reminding of Joo Won's comedic talent: http://pa1.narvii.com/6129/31e73dccbe16b841136c1e152492bdbdb087ea16_hq.gif

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I almost certainly do not have time to add three new dramas to my already-too-long watchlist, but I've been waiting for Duel (especially), Queen, and MSG. And then Forest of Secrets, the week after? My rational side is adding up the hours already and shaking its head. Oh well! If anyone needs me, I'll be drowning in dramas! Hahaha

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I love sageuk but I also love happy endings. 7day Queen looks interesting. I've never finished any Yeon Woo-jin drama - I blame the plot, not his acting- so I told myself that I will give him another chance in another drama but whyyyy does it has to be a tragedy drama? I don't see how this would end in happily ever after with our OTP so I'm feeling very conflicted right now. I also want to see Lee Dong-gun's take on his first villain role, I'm curious and hoping that he'll be another case of Kim Ji-seok in Rebel (or Namgoong Min). Ugh so so conflicted!

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I also like Yeon Woo-jin's acting but couldn't finish any of his dramas except Arang and the Magistrate, which is funnily enough, his only sageuk role. I guess I'll watch two episodes to admire the pretty hanboks and then decide whether to continue.

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Loved him in Ojakgyo, and Arang was the last drama until now of his that I even wanted to attempt to watch (yeah, that was a long time ago, lol). I only finished Arang because of his character. He was the only interesting thing in a very boring stretch of that drama, so that's my lasting impression of the show, years later :)

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Marriage not dating was super zany and I loved it but I guess not for everyone is it... I hated him in Arang, he was so wishy.

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Best Hit!!!
I am rooting for you. Please i hope it is successful n d drama will b great.
Hmmmm.... Duel is interesting. I think i will give it a try

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Out of the list i'm most likely to watch the Best Hit, can't wait for YSY!!

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If Duel is anything like Orphan Black when it tackles human clones..then my interest is indeed piqued!

Gosh more dramas to watch! Hope there are more hours to spend to watch em all!

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So many dramas to watch! After Chicago Typewriter ends next week I will be watching 8 currently airing dramas.

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Share me your secret!

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Lol. Late nights and strategic scheduling. I stick to watching two episodes of currently airing dramas a day Monday through Sunday. For instance, Suspious Partner and Ruler-Master of the Mask airs on Wednesday/Thursday so my schedule is full on those days.

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Duel, My Sassy Girl, and The Best Hit. I'm already set in watching My Sassy Girl since it's Joo Won last project. But Duel and The Best Hit looks so promising I'm tempted to add both of them. But with work, real life, and 5 already airing dramas (6 if I include MSG), I think I just have to resist the temptation.

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3/4: Duel, My Sassy Girl, Best Hit

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May was already a full month of great dramas with Suspicious Partner, Ruler, Lookout, and Circle. Adding My Sassy Girl and 7 Day Queen into the schedule will be hectic, but I'm fortunate enough to have all these recaps for some of the shows I might miss. Not to forget, I'm still intently catching up with Chicago Typewriter. Despite all these new shows like The Big Hit and Dual, I'm still excited and planning to pace myself with these shows.
But then, how do you pace yourself with dramas? »^*o*^«

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I need a time turner :D

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Dear lord, four MORE dramas to add to my watch list?! I don't have time! Does anyone have a time turner I can borrow?

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I have room for two more dramas in my roster after Circle and Fight My Way. I'm eyeing Seven Day Queen and Best Hit, but I'll sample Sassy Girl too. I'll put Duel on hold until after Circle is over.

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There goes my sleep..?

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One drama is already in my list, another one to be consider and sadly I have to say pass toward the rest of two. My plate is FULL. Sawwrrryyyy~

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I think seven days queen will be like scarlet heart, sooo many tears... I cant wait for my sassy girl, i watched the promos and looked cute, the big hit is musical? and Duel, OCN needs a winner because after the magnificence that was Tunnel..

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I'm another one who can't stand too much angst and sadness (melodrama) too...I love Tunnel, hope that Duel would be as good as it is.....

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I think Super Family having formart 'variety drama'. This drama included many interview characters scenes.

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I'll check the first episode of each new dramas to find out whether the drama suits my taste or not..

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I'm a 1n2d s3 fan, so Best Hit is the one I'm looking forward too! Familiar with Hong Km from the stop smoking episode, haha. I hope this is a ratings hit for them.

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That's the reason why I would have to be VERY selective when it comes to choosing which one to watch and which one not to (waste time over)....normally my critieria is I don't watch historical, family or very long-episodes stuff, it also depends on the synopses/introduction of the show and the genre, thriller/crime/action/romance/mystery normally yes, but also see whether the plot bores me out, a good example is Whisper and Queen of Mystery which I'm initially interested in due to the above reasons but bores me out halfway due to certain reasons....if I have to watch every kdrama in the midst of busy life, I guess I don't need to sleep already !! haha ....

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I better plot my schedules now so that I won't miss any of it. Time to buy some snacks and popcorns!

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Soo many dramas so little time.

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All of these sound interesting, wondering how I'll be able to fit in sleep.

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Looking forward to the sageuks! ? I'll think later how to fit this in my already booked drama sched! Hahaha.

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I think i am gonna watch every show mentioned here, but I am definitely looking forward to Duel the most! May OCN continue to riseeee

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KBS haven't start to split their drama yet (as for Fight My way) so, I hope they won't do it for their two upcoming dramas. :)

I'm going to look forward My Sassy Girl and The Best Hit. I won't start a Josean melo, nor another OCN thriller now.

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I have to admit I thought I would anticipate My Sassy Girl more but after the whole casting turmoil it definitely put a damper on my excitement for Joo Won's last project prior to military service. Yet after watching the teasers I'll definitely check it out.

BUT out of the two sageuks I'm really more looking forward to Seven Days Queen which I didn't give much attention to but the way they promote the drama and the cast I think it's a lot more for me than My Sassy Girl. And I hope it will live up to my expectations even though I try to keep them at a reasonable level since I got so disappointed by Ruler.

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supremely excited for big hit! my friday and saturday are packed. man to man and big hit~ hoho

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