I need help! I like Hyuk who has done all sorts of evil deeds. But then he is nice and sweet, and suddenly he reverts to being evil. And theres his coffee-arc and bunny-arc. Not to be forgotten his shoulder-wiggle.

Hahaha....ok. i need help.

Hi Everyone and Happy OT!!!
I should be a bit sad because I was supposed to be at the Singapore Beanie meet-up but I got the flu!!! So I'm home, coughing a lot, but I'm so pleased at having received and looking at the photos of the meet-up gang. They just sent out the pics and they look great and so happy at a Korean restaurant in town. 😁

I'm sure @greenfields and @neener will have more to 'report' when they have some time after all the fun.

I've reduced my drama watching to just Alhambra, Encounter / Boyfriend and Red Moon, Blue Sun, what with work and real life stuff to do and no other show seeming to hold my attention. It's good though, since I really need to be paying attention to several other RL things.

And I surprised myself by just going out and buying a car. No small investment in my part of the world!!! I didn't have much choice unless I wanted to stop driving, but wow! ... the difference in the bank account after a mere 3 hours looking around car showrooms. 😂 I'm getting the car in April and will have a month when I will not have a vehicle. Wish me luck that I get to either borrow a car or get a not too expensive alternative in commuting especially in the school break of March!!! 😆

so, yoo yeon seok and so ho jun's variety Coffee Friends has started! there are 2 episodes out and although there's not really much happening, it's such a relaxing watch. i looove the cafe and the tangerine trees make me drool lol.. i'd love to have a place like that- preferably with YYS included XD he's such a bae, all gentle looking and soft spoken, but the guy Gets Things Done.

how adorable is yang se jong as the flaily maknae part timer.. and i need choi ji woo's fountain of youth asap. poor son ho jun and his hand drip coffee orders XD and lol jo jae yun as the human dishwasher!

Hi Everyone! I hope you are all doing well today!

Drenched after consecutive days of nonstop rain. Hoping for a few days of sunshine because now we need to dry out a little bit.

The Last Empress - It just cracks me up how the emperor's personal bodyguard calls him and Min Yu-ra, as Na Wang-shik, to issue threats and they both haven't figured out who it is by the sound of his voice! I mean, it's so distinctive and they hear it every single day! ...... Totally enjoying this crazy ride!

The Crowned Clown - Gave the first episode a try after reading positive comments from our fellow Beanies. For sure the shots are gorgeous and Yeo Jin-gu is doing a fabulous job in the double role ...... but I must not be in a total sageuk mood at this very moment because I've decided to put this one aside for the time being.

Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho 2 - Never watched the first season so I went in completely unfamiliar with the main character of this show. I have to say though that the main draw for me is Go Hyun-jung, to see what vibe she brings to her villain role. So far she has an air of mystery with a dose of bizarreness. At this point there are more questions than details about her.

SKY Castle - I've watched up to episode 15, so I'm behind one, but what can one say when a show keeps on blowing your mind with Every. Single. Episode ...... just when you think it no longer can? It continues to deliver. ....... The whodunit ....... The oh-no-Dr. Kang-didn't-just-do-that-at-the-hospital ....... The what-is-Coach-Kim-thinking-at-any-given-time ....... Just everything. Just wow.

That's all for now. Everyone take care and and have a great Friday!

Finally Friday! I can binge up all the shows which were on hold for the last two weeks.
Do you know of some other cool sites like Dramabeans which recap Netflix shows from Europe like "Dark" or even American ones like "You", because I wanted to see some analysis beyond the surface reviews/recaps?
And has some beanie watched them and would like to discuss them? I have a lot to say but can't find a place.
Have a nice weekend beanies!

SIGNAL fans. Heads up. Viki has obtained the 10 episodes of the
Japanese version of SIGNAL from 2018. The subbing has slowly begun.
SIGNAL 2 anyone?

It's open thread friday and my birthday today! Haven't posted in a while but it doesn't come around often that these two things line up so thought I'd post.
Does anyone else not enjoy their birthday and have anxiety over it? I'm one of those and recently found out there is such thing as "Birthday Blues". I think I have this. Something about this day just gets me all tense, I feel pressured to "enjoy" the day and always seem disappointed by the end of it. Bleh.

Good morning Beanies! I've been on a kdrama binge lately. Watching tons of shows that are all excellent so far. Question though. I've not heard much about Clean with Passion. I was planning to watch it next. Is it worth watching? 🤓

Memories of the Alhambra Really loving the concept of this one. I am not 100% sure where they will go for the last 2 episodes. I just hope Yoo Jin-Woo has a happy ending, because after the year he has had, he deserves one. The drama is coming to its boiling point. The key was handed off the Emma, Jin-Woo proved to Professor Cha he wasn't crazy, and Se-Joo seems to have returned. Thankfully Jung Hee-Joo started doing something more then just crying. I've been very disappointed in her character as the first about 12 episodes was just her crying in almost every scene and hasn't added anything substantial to the drama. Park Shin-Hye is fine as Hee-Joo, but she doesn't really add anything special to the character. Can't wait for this conclusion!

An Empress's Dignity I binge watched this in 4 days. Like others have said it's over the top and you have to suspend belief on things (like Na Wang-Sik's unbelievable transformation) but it's such an addictive and fun watch. It has it all, revenge, murder, infidelity, birth secrets, conspiracies, hidden identities, and secret pasts. All the actors are doing an excellent job, especially Shin Sung-Rok as Lee Hyuk. He is such a fun protagonist. I run the emotions of disliking him, hating him, loving him, to pitying him. He is this awful person but then I can't help but find him adorable and pitiful in the later episodes. I also love Sunny's transformation. I went from being embarrassed for her in the beginning to being disgusted at her (when she was trying to not believe Lee Hyuk cheated on her) to loving her and the strong, kick-ass woman she has become. Choi Jin-Hyuk's character Na Wang-Sik is less interesting as he has been the same basically through the whole drama. He also looks perpetually worried. I'm still rooting for him and Sunny though. Can't wait for more episodes to come out and hopefully Sunny can make some progress on taking down the Imperial Family. Also, I am pretty sure the dead body at the beginning of the drama is So-heon.

Hi beanies, this is my first time posting on the Open Thread although I have been stalking for years now (hehehe🙈😊😊 ). I enjoy reading your comments, theories etc😄 Y'ALL ARE AWESOME😍😍😍 I'm just wondering why there is no recap or even a thread for the record-breaking, jaw-dropping Sky Castle... I hereby beseech the Overlords to grant us a thread, pretty please🙌🙌🙌 much love😘😘😘 and thanks in anticipation💙💙💙

This is a follow-up to a thought I had/comment I made on someone's wall earlier... Thanks to @greenfields (and @ally-le @sicarius) we have a list of all the beanie ranks so far (http://www.dramabeans.com/members/db-staff/activity/17625/)

Any chance we could add some examples to those? Like, what's the Water Maid from (Dong Yi, is one example, I think). And who is the wrongly-accused fugitive, anyway? I don't know enough examples to add them in, but I'm always so curious...

I'm week behind of all my shows expect Children of Nobody, I took few days off to visit my friends and it's hard to get back on drama watching schedule, I miss discussions on recap posts.

Hi there, beanies! I ended up bingeing 8 episodes of The Fan and can't wait for the final rounds! What I like the best about this show is the Fan panel - BoA, Yoo Hee Yeol. Lee Sang Min, and Kim Ea Na - they are all musicians with constructive evaluations of the contestants. The contestants are recommended by famous singers and entertainers like Shinhwa, Gummy, Lena Park. Tiger JK . . . which ups the expectation on the contestants' talents. This week will determine the Top 5 and I'm rooting for Ji Min and BIBI.
Another entertainment show that I've added to my watch list is The Manager. I hope guest Kwanghee who was recently discharged gets an MC stint somewhere!
Also watching Memories of the Alhambra, Boyfriend, Strange Hero, The Crowned Clown and have a couple I'd like to start but I've got a big project that keeps me from concentrating on shows just now.

It dawned on me that I don't yet have any travel plans this year. Crazily enough, I have a vague plan to travel to Japan for the 2020 Olympics and also visit S. Korea - I should get on the details if I want to make that happen! Have a great weekend, everyone ~

Happy weekend Beanies!

This year I want to keep busy with travelling and hobbies, whether I am employed or not. So I made a 2019 calendar with all possible hobbies and fun activities for each month, as part of my new year resolution plans. The execution is something else entirely and predicts two possible outcomes for now. Or I will get in another unemployment slump, or I’ll leave my comfort zone to do stuff, but risk doing too much in order to avoid the unemployment slump.

It is not easy to ponder the right balance while work keeps me busy and little sleep clouds my judgement. By the time I will have time to properly think about it, some deadlines for later this year will have passed already. I wish I could time travel to give myself more time to think, and to sneak peek to how it will all work out eventually.

Oh well, it is only January… everybody fails resolutions at least once before January ends. ;)

Anyone remembers or know a show named The Sleepover Club

Old Australian show maybe based on a novel about 5 teenage girls.
I think it has 20 episodes of 20 minutes per episode. There are few Aussies here and i assume they might have seen it in their teenage years.
Rosie was my 1st tv personality crush. Out of nowhere The show popped up in my mind and i wanted to know anyone wants to watch it with me?

TGIF! Hope everybody had nice week. I am sad that another drama I enjoyed- "Red Moon, Blue Sun" ended. (finale episode was somewhat disappointing tho) And I have to say that I was impressed with Lee Yi-kyung(30) who played a determined detective Ji-heon when his Waikiki character is still fresh in my mind. He had an interview after the show completed.
But first here is short intro. Per wiki[and the like], Lee was a model student with good grades and athlete (Karate) in middle school. When he was 18 he moved to Seoul and prepared for the college exam in Noryangjin (yeah that Noryangjin in Drinking solo). He entered a Sport university, but had knee injury and took a leave and ended up doing his military service. After he returned to the college, Lee took acting class and eventually quit his school to enter another college majoring in acting. Lee said he watched a drama for the first time in the army because of influence of his strict father when he grew up. The drama "Iris" made him think about acting career.

Lee made his debut in 2011 (Star audition, Great birth) but his first notable acting was in the drama "School 2013" where he played a rebellious student. He also appeared in My Love from the Star (2013), Descendants of the Sun (2016), Go back Couple(2017), Partners for Justice, Waikiki (2018) and more. Lee has played comical characters as well as serious ones, showing variety of acting skills. He also did a few independent and commercial films.

Lee's family background made buzz when it revealed that his father was the CEO of LG (Innotek). In 2013, He got punished for drinking driving. (funny?) He got caught while he was parking near his house. (Driving was done by substitute driver.)
Lee appeared in the King of Masked singer in 2017, where he stated that he wanted to show he was a cute person because people remembered him from scary roles due to his sharp appearance. And as we know, in early 2018 he admitted dating Waikiki co-star Jung In-sun, but they broke up two months later. He has also done a few varieties including "Dangerous Beyond the Blankets" (2018).

Onto the interview. [OSEN, StarNews]
Q: RMBS ended after hard work in the story as well as actors' acting wise.
Lee: Among all the projects I've worked, time flied the quickest with this project. When I told Kim Sun-ah sunbae-num, she said time past really fast for her too. I prepared reading the scripts so much that pages torn apart, and I had lots of advice from Sun-ah sunbae. It was a project I had so much affection and efforts. I thought I am the type who can step out well from the character I play, but I couldn't this time. Director-nim also said "You are just Kang Ji-heon."

Q: How did you take on the role in this project?
Lee: I have comical image to the public because I've played some comically strong characters in the past. I received the RMBS scripts at the time I was confused thinking if I was fit for funny characters because many people...

I am sad Alhambra has only 2 episodes left because I had fun watching. Writer Song Jae-jung had an interview on 15th. You might have read it in other places already but here are some portion of the interview.[OSEN] About characters around Yoo Jin-woo(Hyun Bin), Song stated, "I wrote Alhambra by entwining 3 main stems together. First one is Game, second one is characters' relationships and veiled enmity centered around Jin-woo and Hyung-suk, and the last one is love story between Jin-woo and Hee-joo. People ask me "Why his exs keep appearing?" but I wrote them in earnest because they were important axis of the drama from the start. Because how Jin-woo made mistakes in the past, those wrong choices piled up like a retribution and how they are resolved in the last moment, and how he approaches to Hee-joo after that were so important that I didn't shorten the stories about people close to him."

Song also mentioned about the setup of "urgent arrest(arrest without a warrant)" which became an issue after the broadcast last week. "I wrote it after being consulted with a professional in the field. I added it because I was told "urgent arrest" not "arrest with warrant" was possible with that level of testimony. It was highly possible situation."
About the responses that the show lacks in melo/romance part, Song explained, "It is hard to write romance. Initially my ideas was friendship-like relationship between Jin-woo and Hee-joo. But when I found the casting of Hyun Bin ssi and Park Sin-hye ssi, I thought their beauty would be such waste so I added more romance making sure not ruining the plot. So actually romantic details were increased from what I designed originally."

Song continued, "It still has important function of Emma(Park Sin-hye) for viewers yet to see. Please keep watching because it will reveal why it had to be Emma, why Park Sin-hye ssi had to be Emma. It will also uncover past relationships dreadfully entangled for Jin-woo, and how the matters with ex-wives and Hyung-suk and his father are being sorted out. I feel Jin-woo can go to Hee-joo only when those matters are settled. He will have to resolve them thoroughly first." Song added, "I really feel it is such shame that Hee-joo is underused. I view that is why it needs Jin-woo's resolution. I hope the viewers pay close attention to the story how Jin Woo will pay his mental debt and what the complete resolution is."

Song praised two leads Hyun bin and Park Sin-hye. "I was shocked and very impressed watching Hyun Bin ssi's acting. Jin-woo character should be able to do both action and melo, and have good physical condition, and I don't think any other actor than Hyun-bin ssi in this country can digest the role. For Park Sin-hye ssi, I asked for understanding before the drama started. I thought there could be disappointment since there was no action for her character. But she understood and showed much interests in Emma character. Actually I was surprised...

Another day, another mano's crazy obsession over Jin-woo. I'm still rewatching every episode of MoA. Bear with me beanies, I really don't have any other medium to express my fondness to opppaaars...

The more I see Hyun-bin pictures on the internet, the more I realize how gorgeous he is. I just found his picture during MoA first reading, dressed in only white shirt and he's still look ridiculously handsome.
I'm sorry Gong-yoo oppa, I always thought you're the oppa that ends all oppas. It's impossible there's someone out there that would look more attractive than you. But that ends today with Hyun-bin in white shirt.

Can I move on to the next oppa please? I dreamed about Jin-woo/Hyun-bin again last night. I'm not used to oppa-ing more than six weeks. It's getting annoying.

I am smitten once again by Yoon Kyun Sang (was smitten before during Rebel). Now binge-watching 3 Meals a Day Session 4 with YKS and his sons Koongie and Moongie. Why didn't I know he's on that programme?? It's nice to see his off screen personality in the show, it's very obvious he is a kind person. Humble and caring and all that. And a cats' slave LOL

Looking back on his filmography, I watched and cheered hard for Moohyul in Six Flying Dragons, but didn't watch watch Pinocchio and Doctors. Also, I watched Gapdong but was too focused on the story and main leads, especially Lee Joon was in it, that I missed YKS appearance completely. Didn't realize he was in that drama.

I also found his earlier acting gigs in The Time We Were Not in Love.. he was novice, stiff acting and awkward but GOD how gorgeous he's there.. so slim and soooo tall. Drop dead handsome killer look as in an idol.

How did he become so big now?? But I love his current build tho, cuddly bear, huggable, as well as manly and protecting. Anyway, that's what I'm into lately.

It seems like people don't like Yoo Seung Ho anymore. I was scrolling the comments up there( is it down)No one has yet mentioned him or his current Drama.
I wonder why?

Happy Friday Beanies! I'm a little freaked-out these days by the upcoming Brexit and the no-deal doom that seem now more probable than ever, so I just wanted to say, thank you for bringing me joy in these dark times. <3

I asked for old J-Drama recommendations in early December. To the ones who gave me their favorites, I am thankful. I watched Orange Days and enjoyed it, even though Princess-Sama was hard to like. I am starting Love Revolution but to be honest it is not resonating with me. Tiger & Dragon, on the other hand, is a riot and even better on a rewatch.

I just wanted you to know I am digging into your recommendations!

Thanks!!!

OT Week 101! Catching up is hard to do. Still not caught up, but I am on the OT! Lots of real life stuff happening this week, but that’s not what anyone is interested in. You’re all interested in the kdama-life! So I had a wonderful trip to LA, and got to the BeautyTap store in Costa Mesa, CA. It’s adorable and so are the specialists there. Finally figured out how to use my rewards points (of which I had a ton) on the website with their help. Both kids and I got pictures on the selfie wall. It’s really cute with a wooden swing to sit on and a flower wall motif. I really wish I didn’t have to work and could just play in LA all day. And eat. We made it to most of what Beanies recommended as well! Komawo!

On the plane ride back, I caught two more episodes of My Ahjusshi and by episode 7 our hero is finally making waves, being as smart as I thought he should be as a structural engineer, analytically minded, and horribly patient. The hard-earned smiles from both Ji-an and Dong Hoon at the ending scene was so poignant. And then Kwang Il had to make my heart sink again with those angry, tear-filled puppy-dog eyes. What a broken person. Breaks my heart. Thank you to everyone who is joining my wall discussion of this!

Hubby wanted to see at least one episode of Memories of Alhambra so we did after skipping last week’s. We actually didn’t need last week’s episodes at all. I don’t really remember any of the episode we did watch either. Where did Min-joo go? What a disappointment. I bet the writer is disappointed too after reading her interview.

I’m still really enjoying Encounter though. Omigosh, I thought I had desensitized myself from PBG’s face, but then they went all earnest and had him damn-near propose, not once, BUT TWICE, close up. I just want to shake some sense into Seo-hyun. Or get her therapy. I know a good therapist. I agree with @lollypip, she’s lost her mind.

Okay, conversation time:

I’ve recently become low-key obsessed with Day6 and Park Jae (but it’s nothing like my Highlight obsession)

Me: Listen to this song, honey.

Daughter: What is it?

Me: Day6’s “Marathon” https://youtu.be/NMB8oLZ3xA8

Daughter: What’s this about being slow? Why would I want to be last?

Me: That’s exactly why I want you to listen to it.

Daughter: I don’t want to be slow, I’m going to be first in everything. This song is stupid, mom.

Me: *sigh* Maybe I should have shown her their Despacito cover first… https://youtu.be/RwuBJp1alMo

Son: Have you seen this one mom? https://youtu.be/XQv_kw5SxNA

Me: That’s Korean! Maybe there’s hope for you guys yet.

Moral of the Story: If at first you don’t succeed…

2nd moral: My son’s link is a song sung by G-Idle and it’s really catchy, it has 150+ million hits on the League of Legends YouTube page.

3rd moral: For those getting snow this weekend in the US, stay safe! To everyone else, have a great kdrama week!

Hola Beanies! Been awhile since I've visited OT. I haven't really watched dramas the latter half of 2018, but I'm back in full watching mode. I marathoned LAST EMPRESS last weekend and I'm obsessed. It's so cute watching Hyuk discovering positive human emotion though he's still a murderer. I am loving the show in all its makjang glory.

I also finished WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE SECRETARY KIM and it was cute, but kinda....lacking. I just expected so much more from it, but Park Seo Joon and Park Min Young were good so there's that.

i just finished red moon blue sun and i loved it. so much was expressed about one of society's illnesses and kids helplessness but also of judge not that ye be not judged.

the actors were superb in their roles. i applaud them for taking on a hard drama.

Who is watching Liver or Die? Let's discuss!

Yesterday, got flu/cold. My daughter stay home too because she was sick. We both got a lil bit better today. I only watched Children Nobody last night. Also, Legend of Hu Bou the Chinese drama starring Ariel Lin and ZBB. So far, it is good. I can not believe that is ZBB real voice. 😱 Have a great night.

Hello, everyone! Will be my first time to post in OT :D
So...I stopped watching kdramas for a while and ventured into other non-Korean series which I saw being dubbed in our local channel; I finished the Thai version of Fated to Love You and liked it despite the happily-rushed-ever-after-ending (I haven't watched the original and the Korean remake). But what I really wanted to talk about was the C-drama which replaced it. It's Love O2O...and my gahd, I super-duper sooo like it! Not just the romantic part, but also the way the friendships are played out, the clever way of playing out the characters' fantasy and reality...and even if I'm not a gamer I appreciate the game scenes, how they are juxtaposed with the characters' real/offline life. This is my first C-drama and I'm glad that I gave it a try, and now I'm wondering (actually more hoping) if there's a possibility to have a Korean remake of this? And if ever they do, who do you think would fit the characters of Xiao Nai and Wei Wei? :D

I've been reading dramabeans' open threads and what we're watching for sometime now. It's thanks to this place i was able to find a couple of good kdrama to binge. I decided to sign up today and participate in this kdrama community! Treat me well, you guys.

I've recently finished Thirty but Seventeen, it warmed my cold icy heart by the time I've finished it. I've picked up Sky Castle this week, I haven't binged it to catch up to the current episode because it had a heavy feel to it so I couldn't binge it as I would like to.

Which is better: Matrimonial Chaos or Saikou No Rikon?

Can you also recommend me a good jdorama? Something that will keep me watching. The last one I've watched is Todome No Kissu.

Hi!
It's probably a bit too late to put this on the open thread, but here I go. 😅

I'm going to the UK on Tuesday and I was wondering if you had any tips or ideas about places to visit or things to do.
I'll be also visiting London for two days. What would you recommend seeing or doing?
I'll be traveling with my aunt and her family, so I won't be at liberty to travel everywhere, and I'm a student, so I'm on budget. But share anything with me!

Thank you and have a great week!