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Open Thread #602

Happy Friday everyone!

Here is your Open Thread, which is here for you to chat about anything you want, whether it be drama-related or not. Nothing’s off-topic here! Spoilers may be rife, so proceed accordingly.

 
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Been in such a long slump that I need to see the schedule to know what dramas are airing.

Is Nokdu Flower any good?

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I just read the first EP recap and I liked it.

Or was it JO JUNG SUK🤷🏻🤷🏻🤷🏻

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Seconding this question! I've been in a really long slump too. Without having seen any of it, though, I can say that the writer is pretty solid as far as sageuk goes.

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Watched the premiere & it was great! Very dark mood & some tidbits of humour here and there that helps digest the story a lil better. Try out the first hour of the show, see if you like its tone :)

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Regardless of the hype, I felt "meh"...

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I'm just glad there is a drama dealing with this period and hope it is not depressing.

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Do you know the real history of this rebellion? And historical kdramas aren't afraid of depressing. But maybe there will be a glimmer of hope at the end...on the other hand, not so much.

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I haven’t been able to watch anything since SKY Castle ended...

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Also not watching any drama with regularity; currently watching variety shows instead. Saw short trailer for Spring Night, which clearly looks like Noona Part 2.

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Well y'all, thanks to Possessed I am in a drama slump. I have no motivation to watch Woohoo Waikiki 2 (I am now 2 weeks behind). This week I tried to watch Her Private Life and Healer, but couldn't get into them. Let's hope Abyss and The Secret Life of My Secretary help pull me out of it next week.

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Possessed depressed and disappointed me, so thank goodness I have Special Labour Inspector Jo to cheer me up. Oddly, they're not that different - both are about good people vs great evil - but SLIJ does it without unnecessary bloodshed and with a lot more LOLs.

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Inspector Jo is good. Unfortunately, I'm really behind right now due to my schedule with real life. Thank you Kim Ban Di. It's been a while there is quality fun/comedy korean drama which has alot of heart. It's really can balance out Beautiful World.

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Thanks to Possessed, I'm now watching a 2014 50-ep family drama.

Fighting, my fellow sufferers.

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2014? 50 episodes?? Is it the fabulous Yoona's Street??!

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I'm watching Wonderful Days. I'm not expecting it to be as good as Yoona's Street - which is on a very short list of family dramas I've actually finished.

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It's the only family drama I've ever finished...

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YOONA's STREET <3.

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Oho! Dimple ahjusshi Lee Seo Jin in Wonderful days! 😉

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Ah that was my first family drama! Lee Seo Jin's twin sister deserved more screen time. Her storyline was the most interesting but the less developed.

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I vaguely remember - I think I liked Taecyeon and smart twins (child actors are always good)

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Seeing Park Bo Gum as a high-school version of Lee Seo Jin was a bit of a surprise. It's one of those dramas that has EVERYBODY in it

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It’s a story that moves at its own stately pace...but I thought it had interesting characters and some wonderful acting. I especially appreciated the actress playing LSJ’s twin sister, the family matriarch, and the young dominant girl twin...

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Possessed left me feel so hollow. Too many deaths (literally their whole row of section in the office is wiped out), too many sufferings. And who would've guess that Dae Doo can be exterminated in a somewhat similar fashion to Park Il Doo (The Guest)? Are they long lost kin? ~~

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I think there's only one member of the entire cast still alive at the end of the show.

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Thanks to Possessed characters deaths in just completed dramas don't faze me 😂 And I need fluff!

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A few extra thoughts on Her Private Life (semi-spoilers, be warned<3):

This show has been strong in some ways (NOT COUNTING YOU EPISODE 8), but it has been really week in creating strong conflict. I think that's why they had to resort to the lame tropes that came up in 8. There's all these micro-conflicts...the mystery painter, the celebs who won't donate art, the fake relationship, the fangirling secret identity, Cindy at work, why Ryan quit painting, etc...but there's not any one conflict that's strong enough to bear the weight of the show. I'm thinking back to Pinocchio...how the "mystery" they were trying to solve was the driving action, but it also had a way to allow lots of other smaller conflicts and dynamics...but you always knew the plot was moving forward because of their search for the truth. HPL feels a little more episodic, in a way, but I wish it were not. Maybe we are supposed to care more about the painter of the bubbles and Ryan's history, but I don't really... And I suspect that because there's no real conflict in the plot, the major conflict will end up being relationship angst between Ryan/Deok-mi. Bleh. I'm planning to stick around to the end--I like this show overall, and I'm eager to see what happens when Latte's identity is discovered (and i love the friendship between Deok-mi and Sun-joo), but I'm bracing myself a bit too now.

ALSO CAN WE TALK ABOUT WHY A THUMB KISS? i mean that genuinely: why? I felt like we were supposed to believe that Ryan is starting to have feelings for Deok-mi...and so why not just real kiss her and then blame it on Cindy? That was literally done just to irritate viewers and i for one am...irritated. The dream kiss was less annoying than the thumb kiss honestly.

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this isn't being recapped right? Is there another place we're talking about HPL?

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thx!

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I was ok with the thumb kiss. I mean at first I was, "What??" But then I think he is the type of guy that would need some form of concent. It is a fake relationship so no implied concent with an established intimacy. He just sort of went for it with no warning or build up.
Plus, if he had kissed her then the next step would of been pulling the rug out from under her, because it was for show.

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ok yeah fair point. i GUESS it makes sense when you point out the type of guy he is, that a real kiss would not have been in-step with his character. (and, fwiw, i DO appreciate that this show is mostly trying to make him a man who understands and respects women's boundaries....there's been a few exceptions...but overall I've been impressed with that)

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And he kissed his thumb so well, lol.

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lolololol

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Just realized how I spelled consent. 🤷‍♀️

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You know, now that you mention it, the conflicts really are weak. I do like the show and love the acting, but the tension is meh. It reminds me of Strong Woman Bong Soon in that regard. And, now that I think of it, Ryan Gold reminds me of Jung Woo in Temperature of Love, both characters played by Jae Wook. This is not a complaint ^^

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i think the acting and the casting will save this show. I'm not expecting it to be a train wreck or anything -- just hoping there's not too much noble idiocy or fallout from simple miscommunications.

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... and I hope we won't find out that Ryan and DM knew each other when they were children. That memory of DM's mum scared me... too many children there...

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i wondered that, too. eeps

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Totally agree with you. The characterization of Ryan is supposed to make us understand his insecurities but the plotting isn't making use of that characterization. Even his protecting the gallery staff as if they are family is a bit too muted. And once again, i say the folks in that gallery have no personality. This is a case where if we want the story to be about the main characters, we have to focus on the secondary characters. Counter-intuitive but definitely the way to go. Around this time, we need to figure out what is going on with Shi An. It's not that the story is too slow, it's that it is too lacking in courage about what it wants to say and so resorted to tropes.

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At the beginning of 2019, I thought it was going to be a brilliant year for dramas. With the excellent Children of Nobody, Sky Castle continuing from last year and then going onto The Light In Your Eyes, things were looking good. No sight of tired tropes and weak endings. Did I celebrate too soon?

The number of rants on fan walls seems to outnumber the raves. I guess I am not missing much. There's more than half a year to go and who knows maybe I'd be pleasantly surprised late into the year.

This week I tried Nokdu Flower. Somehow it depresses me and I could continue no further. I was thinking how is it that the society hasn't change that much since then? Besides the celebrities caught in the Burning Sun scandal, are there no 'big names' involved? The scale of corruption must be massive and and the big and powerful continue to live with impunity. One of my pet peeves was how kdramas always make the Big Bad a very powerful person. Sure, American movies and dramas do that too but usually the bad guy hides his true colors very well. Not so in kdramas, they behave badly in the open but always have minions or friends in high places to cover them. Seems like reality is not so far off?

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I'd say this scandal is such a big trigger in driving me away from dramas. Unfortunately we live in a world where one good common man can't solve the evil going on from decades. And this scandal in specific is horrible. I don't even see the people involved as celebs rather criminals. And I keep hearing there is very less solid evidence to get those involved prisoned longer. I belive the really bad people/evil doers didplay their bad qualities with tgeir entourage. No one is blatantly evil in front of all people.

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Ugh sorry for the typos. I am settling in a new phone. This jbtw is the 4th out of 6 comments in this thread rn that talks about drama slump. There is defo sth wrong with the dramas being offered.

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The problem with some of the prosecution is that the investigations took too long to complete, so evidence was destroyed by the suspects. In addition, it took a long time for some of the victims to come forward to testify. Without solid collaborating evidence, Korean prosecutors are leery to indict and judges more likely to dismiss. I am beginning to wonder if the investigations will hit a wall and not be able to uncover wealth family crimes associated with the scandal.

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If only it was like in Big Issue.

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Maybe somebody was postponing the sizing warrant to make the evidence destroyed. It's little bit odd that all those journalists working on discovering dirty things are now closely watched by police for protection, so they can't continue their job. It is getting nowhere and it will be forgotten.

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The police are now investigating a chat group of 200 TV producers and reporters for illegally sharing among themselves the Burning Sun evidence including illicit videos.

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@welh I've just finished reading it. But the problem is why they don't investigate those people behind the curtain. Hang Hana got free while Yoochun got arrested and it was enough to believe her that was him who made her use drugs. The police is still covering lots of things and they will blame the media but the truth is the CEOs of medias are probably friends with those behind all of this so there will be always some kind of manipulation of public.

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The Burning Sun "scandal" has, as I am slowly realising, had a definite impact on my relationship with my favorite idols. I was never one to bias actors, but idols were a whole other issue. But even though none of the idols I follow are involved in this, since March, I can't really bring myself to watch and enjoy Vlives, aegyo antics, etc etc. I don't fangirl much (except over their music) and follow them & their activities much less. I guess you could say I'm finding it harder to buy the pretty facade the industry is selling.

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Reality really isn't that far off, as you say.

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You know I am not into kpop but long time ago, I used to listen to DBSK and watch their videos. My fave then was Junsu. This week reading news of Park Yoochun's confession and likely imprisonment made me sad.

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What a sad human being. I hope he has the willpower and ability to change in the future. His brother said he was "so scared he couldn't sleep or eat..." wonder if he realizes that's how scared the women felt who were sexually abused by him. Then he turned to drugs to escape reality..
My question is how much do fangirls who mob and stalk kpop and kdrama stars play a part in the actors having all kinds of problems, not being able to live anywhere near a normal life. There seem to be some personalities that can deal with the fame, and some personalities who are too introverted and nervous and can't handle it.

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I don't think he will ever realise that - self-pity is stronger. But I'm impressed by korean law - for serious rape under influence of alcohol with showing no remorse you'll get less prison time than a person who needs rehab.

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Not many can deal with fame. It gives power and an inflated sense of self.

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Yoochun was always my favorite. His life story just got me. I wasn't surprised about the meth thing because i suspect these idols have hard lives and they could veer toward depression or vice or even arrogance if they aren't careful. But that sex thing. Ah man.

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There are many many men who consider women as objects to be used and sometimes I wonder if it's more than 50% of the male population.
Obsessed fangirls mobbing idols en masse don't help.

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But is it even possible for any industry to constantly churn outstanding products?

Burning Sun is a sign of political turmoil in SK, all this cases involves higher ups connected to former president and government, even case 0, the initial assaulter in the club was revealed to be Choi Shin Sil nephew.

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This cycle of rise and fall repeats itself in everything that man does.

I never thought so deeply into it, I just wanted good shows. Come to think about it, I had hoped kdramas was improving after a string of shows impressed me eg. FOS, My Ahjussi, Sky Castle and The Light In Your Eyes.

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I'm looking forward to Different Dreams, except I'm a little concerned they call it "melo".
As you already know, I'm mostly watching c-dramas right now because of the kdrama slump. Oh, there's an interesting HanCinema article about OCN. I couldn't find the one on MBC but I think they're the ones that are doing away with Monday dramas. I'll keep searching. Anyway, things aren't looking good in the industry.
https://www.hancinema.net/ocn-aims-to-restore-pride-with-proven-sequels-save-me-2-and-voice-3-129267.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0hT8143eaYVsTXukXl3-rPwniXm4tQauiVcxh71VidLrAU2W9_GSEgwHw

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Interesting. I heard about changing drama air time, but not this. Will see what happens.

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There is also a "Netflix Effect." Netflix has a huge production budget, including Korean dramas, that has inflated the cost of talent and production through the industry. In addition, just as in the US decades ago, multiple cable channels dilute viewership for the main networks causing significant revenue declines in a fragmented market. In the US, "reality" shows were much cheaper to produce so the spectrum entertainment was awash with bad television.

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I've noticed more and more dramas being added to Viki and Kocowa.

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These days, I can't really differentiate tVN, OCN from the 3 stations.

Save Me and Voice started strong but lost me towards the end. Still, they were interesting especially Save Me.

If I have to pin point what is the biggest problem in kdramas now, I'd say it's the writing. First, a coherent plot from start to finish whether it's an unique premise or a slice of life. Secondly, well written, fleshed out characters with lovely details.

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Biggest problem perhaps - it's like a dozen mediocre Salieres to one Mozart. Or like when an author writes something new and original, fans clamor for more of the same but after a few more the author runs out of ideas.

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It is also the networks who want a "safe" familiar formula to sell to advertisers.

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Right now I'm all about Her Private Life and Put Your Head on My Shoulder.

Oh and The Story of Minglan. @kimbapnoona when do the OTP start interacting with one another?

I'm still into Reach of Sincerity and Forest of Secrets , but they just got pushed back a little.

Dropped Psychometric and Possessed. I loved the characters and I'm (somewhat) ok with no one is safe storytelling, but I just felt like they'd depress me. I just wasnt in the right frame of mind to go dark right now.

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The Story of Minglan- From what I can remember the story starts picking up steam after episode 20. It does take a while for the OTP to officially get together though. But there is a lot that happens between those two from the very start of the story through the end. One of my all-time most loved asian dramas.

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MINGLAN <3. Love this drama to pieces!

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Hi Everyone and Happy OT!
It's been a pretty good week or two despite stupidly letting a kiddy chair fall on my toe and not being able to wear 'work' shoes as a result. The swellings' gone but walking with the wrong shoes means I limp a bit.

Still I was able to enjoy a long drive (where I drove, and long by my standards means more than 38 KM) to the Western end for dinner and for the view of a great sunset, by way of an anniversary celebration. I've also been shopping and working both from home and at the office, making sure I have my meals within a short walking distance.

As for shows, I (we) am (are) sadly waiting for subs for Confession. Something is going on with Subscene, because at last attempt to access it, it still said it was 'Temporarily unavailable', and this since Tuesday at least.

In the meantime, I've taken to watching something fluffy and fun instead: the web-cdrama Put Your Head on My Shoulder (PYHOMS or Head on Shoulder which is less of a mouthful), and am enjoying it rather a lot, usual tropes and all.

The tsundere guy is actually great bf material, and there are times he does actually smile his slightly crooked smile which can be endearing. The girl is likable and not dumb, although she starts off with a crush on someone else. The whole falling in love business with both parties for a change not diametrically opposite or at loggerheads, and with the full support of family even, makes for a fresh taken on campus-first loves, and is a lot of fun to watch. It has the nice vibes of youthful romance like Love O2O, and hopefully less of the irritating side characters and the same amount of trusting, secure boyfriend!

So far 12 out of 24 episodes are subbed ... I hope they continue to get subbed before I hit episode 10!!

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Looks like 13 is up.
https://youtu.be/UFqd2ym8ZTA

Love my job but 4 hours of sleep. Would love to curl up with this instead and then nap.

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Thanks @bcampbell1662 Beverly!

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Talk about their families, the parents are a hoot!

Both Wei Yi and Momo do get jealous but it's portrayed more as petty than serious and often for laughs. No misunderstanding gets dragged out for long.

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@outofthisworld and all those enjoying Put Your Head on My Shoulder ... If you enjoy meticulous reviews that dissect ad hoc aspects of the show, you may want to read what 'Bitches Over Dramas' will say about this show. She's starting her watch and she'll give loads of comments about all kinds of things, especially interpreting what the characters are saying/meaning.

https://bitchesoverdramas.com/2019/05/03/put-your-head-on-my-shoulder-ep-1-2-first-impressions/

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Wow! I didn't read this much into their first meeting where Wei Yi crashed into Fu Pei and Momo.

This drama though fluffy has some very interesting and good lines. It's exactly what attracted me to the show. Momo may look like a wide-eyed innocent gal but she's much more than that.

By the way, I am glad I am not the only one who thought Fu Pei = Shar Pei!

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Cool. thanks for the link. I also stumbled into PYHoMS. The lead looks a bit like the lead in My ID is Gangdam Beauty. While waiting for the next episodes after 12, I came across Let Coup De Foudre (love at first sight), another ongoing cdrama. This caught me too. Lead actress is great. Trying to think why I am suddenly hooked on these types(school transitioning to work). No need to think hard really- visuals are great. Light story lines. Kdrama slump, for me, can be due to lack of strong actor/actress presence in any shows now.

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Good to know that you're liking Head and/on Shoulders too @merry! You're right in that I kept thinking of the lead in Gangnam Beauty when I was watching this too. Same style, similar look ...

It's great to 'live' vicariously a youth that may not be similar to our own!!

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@growingbeautifully Hope your foot heals soon!

I also saw the site regarding the subbing situation. Hopefully everything will be back to normal soon. I know we're all waiting patiently to see what awaits our trusty quartet.

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Beanies, if you would like to join the Rabbit to group watch raw episodes (17-20) of Put Your Head on My Shoulder with live voice translation, please join us this weekend! Cannot believe that the show is ending next week. It has been the perfect spring fling!

Details on the FW: http://www.dramabeans.com/members/kimbapnoona/activity/769271/

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psssssssttt!!! Your chance to hear kimbapnoona live!

If you need a drama to lighten up your mood, this show is it! It's incredibly funny and sweet.

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

My Fellow Citizens - After seeing actor Kim Eui-sung in serious fare such as Six Flying Dragons and Mr. Sunshine, it's been quite interesting to see him in a comedy such as this.

The Fiery Priest - Oh no! The young priest got so seriously hurt in the last episode I watched! I have two more episodes left to watch and to find out what happened. I hope he's ok.

Doctor Prisoner - I'm having too much fun watching this with everyone trying to outdo each other.

Confession - Patiently waiting along with our fellow Beanies for the new subbed episodes.

Her Private Life - On a completely frivolous note, I've never been particularly fond of "V-neck" attire on men ...... then, the male lead in this comes along and just like that, makes it work.

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

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Imagine, we'll be getting the next episode of Confession tomorrow night but no subs for the previous 2!!! Well, it just means more wild speculation, ... which can sometimes be rather creative and a whole bunch of fun!

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Sometimes the speculations get more creative than the actual shows! *laughing* But it is fun.

Are you going to watch the new episodes raw or hold off until we get the subs for the last ones?

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I will watch them raw, as I normally do anyway, and see if I can make head or tail of what goes on. If I think I understand any of it, I'll probably attempt creative speculation again, which so far has not been all that accurate!! 😂

How about you? Are you going to wait until the subs come out?

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I've been this close to watching the eps raw! I'm so tempted to do that, but I haven't been that brave yet! Heh!

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@growingbeautifully @korfan It's a shame there doesn't seem to be a DM option here for me to share more info. If you are on the Soompi thread for Confession or on Twitter (just search up the hashtag for Confession), there is someone kindly helping for ep11-12 for anyone who wants to watch and catch eng subs to know what's going on before the next episode airs.

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@korfan @tofuetoffee
Thanks @tofuetoffee KX for the heads-up!

The best way to DM me is through email. I've never minded putting my email out here, which I've done multiple times, and it's great to read Beanies who care to write.

growingbeautifully88@gmail.com :-)

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@tofuetoffee Thanks for sharing the info!

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@tofuetoffee @korfan
The good news is that I am able to get the link to watch Confession Ep 11 and 12 with subs. I had to stop partway through Ep 11 as RL called, but I think I should be able to watch before tonight's airing. :-D

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Confession- Sorry I can't tell you what all happened, but you will have surprise at the end of ep 12, and I can't wait to watch the tomorrow's episode.

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@fanwho That's ok, fan! I'll find out in due time. Looking forward to it. :)

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Hehehe I often noticed Ryan’s tops. He’s only been wearing v-necks!

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Kim Eui-sung is among my favorite villains in both films and dramas. He is just as good when playing the opposite role too.

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He Is very good. I love him in My Fellow Citizens!

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@kiara Indeed.

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I have noticed the v-necks and while most of them aren't bad, I did roll my eyes at his suit jacket without a shirt v-neck in ep. 8. It kept making me think of Trash's brother at the wedding in Reply 1994. Seriously, a shirt sometimes makes sense... His brown trousers in the beginning of ep. 8 made me think of Life on Mars - because they looked like a 1980's throw back. The man was made to wear clothes, so I'm not really complaining but there have been some more "artistic" wardrobe choices for him than our usual leading man...

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@csmith I do agree with you on the *eyeroll* regarding the shirtless suit jacket.

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I haven't sub-stalked something with the same intensity in a really long time. Confession's lack of subs is killing me and since it's all talk, talk, talk, I've been reluctant to watch it raw. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one fretting and searching for those subs!

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@csmith "...sub-stalked..." Heh! An apt description! It pretty much sums things up.

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Woman, i am telling you! This guy works his shoulders in ALL his dramas! And that sexy neck bone! He knows he looks great in v-necks!

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Hi everyone? Just wanted to say happy Friday to all the Beanies.

Right now I'm watching KILL IT and wow that guy is really merciless to his targets. I'm just curious if everything come in the open will anyone understand him or has he gone way too far to be understood.

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Happy Friday to you too!

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I didn't like the way the guy/the hero of the show was written (yeah I blame the writer)- He has growth but he went too far to be forgiven. Well I liked how it was filmed-sleek.

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Happy weekend Beanies!

My happy workplace bubble got damaged this week. My workplace if officially bilingual, but of course in reality the other language dominates my native language. I speak and understand the other language well enough to converse and I know that will improve as time goes on, but when it comes to receiving trainings and course materials I put my foot down. However, since I am the only new hire with my native language, I have to wait much longer for my translated course materials and an instructor who shares my native language. I was even sent back from a training session, because the instructor was not able to teach bilingually. In her defense, it was not easy for me either, so I understand why.

At first I did not mind too much, because that meant I would get an instructor all to myself later, until another problem showed up. Apparently my work is all right, but my working pace is deemed too slow. Since I am not fast enough yet at the basic tasks, they cannot give me any training until I improve. The silver lining is that I get one extra week to improve, but I am afraid I will not make it. Of course I will try my best, but I have been doing that my whole life in all areas and I am still the same turtle. I hope they will not punish or fire me for this.

Romance is a Bonus Book offered some unexpected comfort on that topic this week. I decided to try and finish this show this week in order to catch up on and start the airing dramas from next week onwards. Around episode 14 Dan-I is leaving our beloved workplace behind and struggling in her new one. Needless to say that was very relatable. I hope I too can hold on for a year, just like she plans to do.

My biggest problem this week has to be the K-drama premieres for Kim Young-Kwang and Park Bo-Young next week. I am already behind on Special Labor Inspector Jo and cramming Her Private Life in weekends, so I should not take on more K-dramas. If anyone has a time turner or TARDIS for rent that would be great.

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Oh no! I don't like the unexpected turn your job has taken. I hope it turns out well.

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I just had to get it off my chest on OT, since I received the bad news only this morning. Thank you for the support, I hope I can give you better news in the next OT :)

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Keeping my fingers crossed for you @turtuallysarcastic. Will be looking out for your updates.

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Thank you, I appreciate you saying that :)

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Oh no, I'm sorry to hear the bad news! As someone who also works quite slowly, I can guess how disheartening it must feel to be told that. After all, it's not that you're doing badly. It's quite hard to make yourself work faster if that's just not how you work. I wish modern workplaces were more conducive for us slothies who appear slow but are actually putting in every ounce of strength into what we do.

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Your comment is an ode to all turtles and slothies out there. Thank you for writing this, most people just tell me to speed up and that is that (I understand that they mean well, but still). It is nice to have someone on my side who understands what it is like :)

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Aye aye. When I shared with my favourite prof/ thesis supervisor how I was told to work faster at my previous workplace, she enacted this little monologue: "Be faster!" "I can't!" -eyes wide and innocent, arms spread open helplessly-

Gave me a good laugh, but it's so true. Some people are fast, some people aren't. May we all someday find peace with the way we work!

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Beans, I need serious advice. How can I get myself a Ryan Gold or a Gu Wei Yi in real life? Mostly a Gu Wei Yi. Forget their looks, I mean their personalities. <3 What am I doing wrong?

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❤❤❤❤Love Gu Wei Yi, but he's a harder sell in RL, most females will NOT be blown away by his poetic declaration of love using physics equations

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But Momo wasn't too! She didn't even understand them!

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That's why they're going to be a great couple...

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hahaha most people wouldn't understand those poetic declarations, much like Momo! :D

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What do you like about Wei Yi?

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Fair question. I like how observant and thoughtful he is. It's in the little things that he really shows he cares for Momo. And despite him sending his mum away in an earlier episode, I'm fairly certain he must be equally caring about her. Additionally there's no conceit/deception/hidden motives in this - he likes the person and therefore he is nice to them. Other than that, I really appreciate how focused he is about his work. Again, without deception.

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The bad news - not many guys are as observant and thoughtful as Wei Yi. Usually it's the girls who are more tuned to others' mood and feelings.

Forget about finding the perfect man. We all know it's not possible. However, do know what values and traits are important to you. Sometimes even if the guy looks like a good match on paper but you feel zero attraction, it's also useless. The body and heart react first then the head.

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Great advice. Also, looking too hard for someone may not work out either. Methinks that there is already someone smitten with @greenfields but gaining the courage to actually ask her out. I’m of the opinion that if someone is pursuing you sincerely, they’ll probably be more thoughtful than someone you pursue. And the tsundere types are usually the shy types too.

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This is so true. And I do know frankly what I'm doing wrong - not giving anyone a chance, because I find relationships stressful.

@ally-le - HAHAHAHHAA I really hope so. You're also right. Those doing the pursuing are more likely to be thoughtful.

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And he is ready to do some plumbing.......for points.

He is so sweet and sincere.

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@greenfields Not to worry, it's not you ... guys in whom the combination of adjectives such as sensitive, thoughtful, other-centred and medium-sized ego resides, exist in very small numbers... and then they are not easy to recognise, even when we somehow meet them. We may be put off by their tsundere exteriors or braininess or something.

But, the good news is that both parties in a relationship can and do change to better fit, not the ideal, but the other person. (Caveat: not easy... but possible with commitment and patience!)

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Yup - that's definitely good news. Hahahaha
I'm feeling my annual summer pangs of "I'd like to have a romantic partner". You're right though - one probably misses out because of some other factor.

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I haven’t had a drama to watch since the ending of The Light in Your Eyes.
But, after baeksang awards, i think i should start watching My Ahjussi.

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Good choice.

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Best choice!!
Prepare yourself to be smitten, turn into pieces very slowly, and then recover.... if you can.... LOL

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I’m having difficulty getting through Radiant for whatever reason, but My Ahjusshi was also a difficult watch for me, but it’s worth it.

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Same here! (about Radiant) I'm stuck on ep 9 and can't go on to ep 10. Its not that its not good but I think the material is quite depressing to me....

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Somehow they managed to make the ending dazzling. That was quite a miracle.

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I'll definitely get past this depressed feeling and march towards the end (when I am ready). Been hearing some good reviews on the ending :)

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I’m stuck on ep 6

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I made it a little further than you then! But I remember being stuck around that same area.... Each episode just felt really longgg for some reason...

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Do like I do and fast forward thru a few scenes. You can always go back if needed.

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Same! I got stuck even earlier, at ep6. I think I just wasn't ready for it mentally. But now that the stress of job-hunting is gone, I'm ready to pick it up again.

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I did struggle with Radiant though. I paused at 4 episodes and talked about it at OT here. The replies made me pick it up again and it felt so rewarding to watch until the end.

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My Ahjussi is so good. Slow and dark at first but rewarding if you stick with it.

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My Ahjussi is worth it!

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Hi everyone.

Hope everyone is fine. Have a good day ahead!

I have no current drama I'm eager to watch. I stopped watching dramas that I started that includes: Beautiful World, The Banker, Doc Prisoner and My Fellow Citizens.

Last drama that got me super hooked was The Last Empress. Makes me wonder am I actually a makjang fan since I like TLE so much? Hahaha

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Don't worry, your Royal Hotness will be returning soon!

(notice I wrote, "your") :)

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Hehe. Thanks korfan. I'm excited but wary. Mostly excited. 1 month to go! Please start promoting soon~ 😆

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I feel for you, because I am lost without Hyuk too. @missvictrix please pretty please give us tons of news on SSR and we'll be eternally grateful. 😁😁😁😁

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Yes to more SSR updates 😉.

Are you planning to watch Perfume @yyishere? I do. I'll try it out for SSR at first. Hopefully the plot can keep me watching. I'm keeping my expectations on the low on this one. I'm excited for SSR's return though! Hahaha

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Of course. I'm living for it. I miss SSR a lot. I'm so happy he's the lead. June come faster. We can fangirl together lolol.

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I've just finished binge watching Trap and I wanted to start Kill it but after first 5 minutes I decided I needed some variety and wanted sometjing light-hearted instead. Would you be able to recommend something fluffy but not stupid?

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A bunch of us are liking the c-webdrama, Put Your Head on My Shoulder. You can read a bit about it up-thread. Definitely fluffy and not stupid. :-)

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Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out :-) It's been ages since I watched a c-drama so I'm really curious how it'll differ from Korean ones.

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I just dropped by to say I miss all of you. I miss watching drama and I can't wait to join head and shoulder watch group.

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Happy Friday, Beanies! I'm happy to announce that after a few difficult months, I finally found a meaningful job in education research 😊

In return for the goodwill Beanies have showed me, I compiled some tips from my job-seeking experience, which I hope will help current and future job-seeking Beanies: http://www.dramabeans.com/activity/p/770108/

I actually accepted the offer last Wednesday, but I was too preoccupied with binge-watching Head & Shoulders to finish my fanwall post 🙈 I haven't binge-watched anything in a while, so I forgot how disorienting it can be. I gave myself a break and I'm ready to dive back into episode 13-16 this weekend! Will share more thoughts during WWW.

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Congratulations on your new job! And just to say the tips on your fan wall are insightful and great to read. Thank you.

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Thank you! And thanks for reading ^^

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Wow! I copied the link for anyone I meet in the future who is job seeking. Great advice! Congrats on the new job! I hope you find it rewarding!

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Thanks Ally! Yes, please help to spread my hard-earned wisdom 😂

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Your post is awesome! I'm going to find a way to archive it somehow :D Thank you so much for sharing your job search experience!! And, congratulations for securing a new job!! 🎉🎉🎉

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Thank you! If you hit Ctrl+P you should have an option to print the page as a PDF (I use it to archive funny fanwall discussions with other Beanies XD)

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Great idea!! Thank you!

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Thank you! I've saved it as a pdf and I'm sure it will come in handy when I need to start looking for a job. I really appreciate you taking the time to reflect and share on the process :) hope everything works out for you at the new place!

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Thank you! Hope it'll help you when the time comes ^^

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Congratulations on your new job! And a big thank you for sharing your tips!

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Thanks Korfan! ^^

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Congrats!

I just went to your fanwall to read the post. It's excellent!

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Thank you, and thanks for reading it! It was originally much longer and I edited it down so that it's more readable heh. I can be very long-winded.

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PsychoGuy and Kill It, behind on and dropping, wife is finishing them though.
Enjoying date show Love Me Actually
C drama White Snake
J drama Time Taxi 🙂
Caught up on Nokdu Flower, like it so far

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Hi all:
I have never been so weather-focused in all my life. Is it old age? I wake up every morning hoping for good weather and hating when it's cold and rainy...as it is now, as it probably will be all weekend. I do love gray days, but it has to be a warm gray day..with just a hint o bleak dreariness. Not cold, not cold. Ah well. I shall hae to endure.

Dramas:
I will have to drop Her private life because i hate the dependency on the intrusive second lead female trope/angst. I just can't.

Fellow Citizens: When Hooja comes onscreen, my heart lights up. Dang, what a villainess! Waiting in anticipation for her big sis to enter the scene. So far Hooja is stealing the storyline as the whole thing seems to be more about her than for our wedded couple... and i am totally in for that.
Didn't watch Kill it or Banker.
Doctor Prisoner... yep, i'm on this ride although i have to say i am not too connected with anyone and i love to hate our sneery villain. The Prison Doc not the Chaebol. I feel sad for the chaebol. So i don't really want little brother, sis, and mistress-turned-wife to get the company. But it is what it is...one of them will have to.
Glad Psychometric had a good redemptive hopeful ending for hyung. Awaiting Confession.
Beautiful World. THE BEST KDRAMA of the year!
Nokdu Flower...dang the gravitas!
Watching Into the Badlands. How did i miss this wonderful piece of apocalyptic savagery? Am now hooked..but am only half the first episode in.
Waiting for Different Dreams and Legends cdrama.

That's about it.
Have a great weekend, all.

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"Nokdu Flower...dang the gravitas!"

Usually I can tell the difference between the actual history and the added fiction but this show is blending them so well with believable acting that I totally have nothing to criticize.

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I need to start this!

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Aaah I've been checking this thread up and down for someone's take on it but this coming from you says all I need to know haha. Oh man, I'm so excited to have new sageuk to watch.

How is Han Ye-ri's character? I thought the female characters in Jung Do-jeon were the weakest link in otherwise amazing writing, but she's such a good actress I think she could make up for a lot.

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Oh my gosh it's so good to see you :).

I do agree about the women in JDJ. I was glad that Noguk was basically dead in the beginning because I was kind of annoyed with the others.

I'm loving Ye-ri's character and I'm grateful that she is playing the role of a merchant where she is given more freedom instead of conforming to the typical traditional Joseon woman.
She has a great relationship with her father (love their scenes together) and she's taking the role of the son with the business. No arrange marriage in the future to worry about. (yay?)
She is highly intelligent, strong, resourceful and independent but she is also aware that even though she does things better than most men, that doesn't put her at the same social and political power as them. She knows her limit but it doesn't stop her from pushing the envelope.

Han Ye-ri has great chemistry with Jo Jung Suk and she does a great job at being more than what we see.

I hope you'll start watching soon!

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" She knows her limit but it doesn't stop her from pushing the envelope."

I meant at appropriate times, when she is in a tire situation. I enjoyed the unexpected humor that comes with it. She does have a foul mouth when she is being threatened lol.
So this basically mean that she can get herself in and out of trouble. I'm not expecting a damsel in distress for a change.

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It's really nice to see you too :) I haven't been good about keeping up with dramas or the community here to say the least haha, but I was really, really glad to see that you're still here. And I'm also just really relieved and happy that you're enjoying this, considering you're the sageuk queen!

I was already really excited to see Han Ye-ri be playing a merchant woman, but I'm even more happy to hear that she's a badass! I've had a soft spot for that type of character since watching Kim Hyun-joo in Sangdo. And who knows, maybe Jung Hyun-min will find it easier to write a woman outside of typical Joseon gender roles. It's awesome (and really encouraging) that she's allowed to take care of herself despite the sexism she faces, because so many writers just use that kind of thing as an excuse for the male lead to play white knight. Anyway, it is way past time that Han Ye-ri get lead roles, and I'm so excited to watch her in something again it's ridiculous haha.

Aaaah somehow I forgot Jo Jung-seok was in it too. It'll be really cool to see him in a sageuk! Now I'm wondering how many of my favorite veterans are in this as well haha. I think I'm going to try watching the first two episodes this weekend, and then hopefully I can keep up!

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@juniper

SANGDO <3. I also have a soft spot for Queen Soseono in JUMONG and the real life Kim Man-deok.

I love the veterans especially Kim Sang-ho (Han Ye-ri's right hand man). He keeps her grounded.

This is the kind of sageuk that makes you wish WITH S2 were still around. I feel like that there is something missing in the translation but I'm thankful that @odilettante's recap helps a lot.

I can't wait to read your insightful and well written thoughts on the show.
I can't for the life of me write a coherent review on anything even if I love it to pieces.

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Oh my God yes, Soseono! I had a major girl crush on her. I was so mad when Jumong married someone else haha. She was such an amazing woman, both in the drama and in real life. I wonder, has anyone ever made a sageuk where she's the main character?

I'm really lazy about commenting on what I'm watching, and then when I do I guess I go all out and post walls of text haha. I didn't even realize it was being recapped! Once I catch up it'll be nice to join in on the fun :D

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Nokdu really is good! I guess i shouldn't have googled the incident but i wanted to see why the station and the history foundation were recommending it for history. The last time they did that was for that inventor during Sejong's reign and that was okay. I don't really notice the women yet. The actor who plays hyung/that man is really doing a great job at playing humble/humiliation/desperate to be loved by dad. A great job without really overboarding it into "pity me, pity me" mode.

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I always google the history beforehand tbh! I think it helps to know more context (and to know what you're in for lol, considering how many sageuk end in tragedy).

And yay, I'm glad the acting is good! I really love the cast, so I'm pretty excited to see them all in action again haha.

Thanks for replying! I'm definitely gonna try it, hopefully this weekend. :D

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@scifiwritir Totally agree with you regarding Hoo-ja. I don't know if it's the actress's line delivery ..... her inflection, the tone, the attitude, I don't know, but it's all coming together and working! Who knew she could do comedy like this? I sure didn't.

I'm also totally on board the Doctor Prisoner ride. I like watching all the characters try to outdo each other at every turn but I especially like the chaebol. He's just so over-the-top, but in a sad way. He's interesting when he's giving out an order to his right-hand man in the form of a hypothetical question.

I will need to start Nokdu Flower soon. I have a feeling I'm going to like that one.

Have a great weekend also! And may next week's weather be better!

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It's always so sad how we basically side with the hero no matter what. If this story had been told from the pov of oori chaebol, we'd be all up for his revenge. But here, we are stuck having to be against his vengeance at his dad's new family. I guess it's not the wound or the vengeance that matters but who is the male lead.
Thank you, Hoping the weekend is good.

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If the creative team for FC were really creative, they would give us an ending with HJ triumphant! Or at least undefeated.

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I figure we will be on her side when Big Sis arrives.

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True. Her private life is falling into stupid cliches, I would quit, or at least fast forward if it falls into idiot noblicy as well, but meanwhile it is very fun, and when it is fun, it makes me laugh hard. So... let's wait and see...

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The fan service for Ahn Bo-hyun/Nam Eun-gi was a little much and made me laugh. I am so obsessed with this show and Ryan Gold.

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Happy Friday! The sun is finally shining in these parts, and I'm planning my first postage stamp of a backyard. Also wondering what mulch does. In other news, I wish I was in a drama slump, because then I would look for other shows. Maybe. I've been watching some older dramas (2009 is my cut off: I can't take the hair, the grabbing, or the familial violence), rekindling my love of Yoon Sang-hyun with I Hear Your Voice. Which led me back to re-watching Secret Garden. I love that swoopy hair! And his ridiculous clothes. So adorkable.

Then, while trying not to re-watch The Greatest Love, I stumbled onto Cunning Single Lady (Sly and Single Again). Sheesh. I'm so glad I watched Joo Sang-wook and Lee Min-jung in Fates and Furies first, because watching them in CSL washed the bad taste out of my mouth from F&F. What a great, fun show! I don't know what happened in F&F; I really did not like the writing on that show. Wasn't for me, I suppose, and it made me sad and mad lol.

Went back to Boyfriend/Encounter. I realized the show isn't really about him, more about his interactions with her, and the consequences. When I started watching her, it became much more interesting. But I still may steal Song Hye-kyo and put her in my pocket.

And finally, Fiery Priest. I put it off because I didn't want to see Team Tsunami go! I loved the whole assortment of characters, good and bad. When our priest went briefly dark, there was so much guilt and regret, and I just wanted to see him smile again. A satisfying end to a satisfying show! Phoenix pose! Let's get it!

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It's funny seeing my thoughts reflected in your list of shows, although I'm one of those who eagerly jumped on the F&F train because of how much I loved Cunning Single Lady only to hop off somewhere in the middle. It just didn't work for me.

I also felt Encounter was a more suitable title than Boyfriend because that meeting in Cuba sparked the changes in her life and demonstrated her previously hidden inner strength. I always felt she didn't need protecting, just enough reasons to stand up for herself.

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I loved Cunning Single Lady too but not F&F which was frustrating too long.

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I have trouble with changes, any change in my routine give me anxiety even the good ones, right now I'm supposed to start planning itinerary for my holiday, and my stomach tighten at the thought of it, ugh.

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@shach Well, any change is stressful. Are you on holiday alone or with others? If the former, just keep it simple and familiar... if the latter, then it's more stressful because you'll need to keep other people's needs and wants in mind as well!

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It's normal. Many people find comfort in routine.

Planning a holiday and the holiday itself can be stressful, at least it is for me.

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I was in a drama slump for a while and used that time to catch up on dramas I missed in the past. I ended up watching Revenge Note the first season, Suspicious Partner, and Greasy Melo! I enjoyed all of them and glad I was able to use this time to watch them. I also recently enjoyed the Netflix drama My First First Love and I really enjoyed it~ Currently only watching variety shows My Ugly Duckling and Spain Korean Hostel. I am waiting to check out the new drama with Han Jimin and Jung Haein premiering later this month. Keeping my fingers crossed that it will be good!

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TGIF! Hope everyone had a good week! I am glad we have a few good dramas to watch these days (and more are coming)- It means I have less time to do anything else -Help! A few casts from The Fiery Priest had interviews and Go Joon who played the sympathetic?? villain Chul-beom was one of them.
I remember (from one of interviews covered in previous OT) that his agency president mentioned Go Joon is an actor who tries hard. He said Go Joon(real name is Kim Jun-ho, 41) even went to Jeolla province and lived to learn satoori/direct for his role (I wonder which project because Go used Jeolla satoori in the show -Also this satoori is used in newly started drama Nokdu flower since the setup is Jeolla provincial town of Gobu.)

[OSEN, 2019.04.28-29] Go Joon revealed how he was cast. He had initially rejected the offer for the Fiery Priest. "I turned down the drama at the beginning. Actually there was a film that I was supposed to play the lead. But I decided after the director-nim's persuasion and dedication. Finally I said "I will do if you love Hwang to the end." Also the reason I turned down at first was because I thought that I did not have the color to show any more because I had played villain roles for a while. I didn't have confidence, but when director-nim said he wanted to show different kind of mobster, I said I would do if he would love/not give up Hwang until the end. I joined the drama after I was promised."

Go has done about 60 big and small films, and he expressed his worries about his recent villain image. "I played the first villain role in Tajja 2. Very strangely only villain roles were offered since. So I hesitated a lot between the lead role in the film and Hwang Chul-beom. But now I am glad because Fiery Priest did well." The show received lots of love recording more than 20% of ratings. However, Go said he could not feel the popularity. "I went to the Han River yesterday because of the 'Midnight'(E-news) interview, and many people still remembered me as Kevin Lee of "Misty". I was stunned people still remember the role when it was a year old drama."

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The Fiery Priest is a drama about a priest with anger control disorder and a not-so-smart detective investigating a murder case. Go said he wanted to become a priest himself when he was young. "I was socially unfit when I was a kid. People usually have a year for early childhood education, but I had 2 years because I had closed side. My mother worried about me a lot so I had to try many things. One time I went to a catholic church, and I saw the tall priest standing in the middle and talking (preaching) in the Mass, and I was fascinated by him. I thought that the priest was cool. I was desperately dreaming of being a priest, so I went to the catholic church every day and worked as an altar boy. I became captain of altar boy assisting priests for about 5 or 6 years. But At the moment I was about to enter the monastery, puberty came and I gave up. They prevented to meet a woman when a person entered the monastery, so I chose the woman instead of religion." He continued, "I don't have religion at present. I think God is in our minds."

What Go wanted to show through Hwang Chul-beom character was not his evil side but the side he wanted to survive. "Hwang Chul-beom was a person who lived to fulfill the part he felt lacking - family as he grew up as an orphan. I've talked a lot about taking care of a family in the show too." In addition, Go said that the part where Hwang was referred to as "the wicked" was not necessarily true. "I think an era of distinction between good and evil is gone. As one person goes from one point to another running toward his goal, others' goal might become evil. I didn't want to separate good and evil." He added, "I didn't act the evilness of Hwang Chul-beom, but acted his purpose."

Still Go said that he had a disappointment in digesting Hwang Chul-beom role. "I hoped he was not portrayed as one dimensional villain. I wanted him to be a villain with a reason. I wondered the show lacked explanation about his reason. I was disappointed that he was depicted being forced or shown without explanation in the viewers' point of view.

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Go can't tolerate the injustice normally, but he said his personality changed a lot from the past. "Chul-beom and I are alike in that we have a lot of angers. In the past, I could not tolerate when I saw injustice, but now I put up with it because I have a lot of fear now. I didn't have anything to lose in the past, but now I seem I have a lot to lose. Still I think my original character would come out if it reaches the Maginot Line." Go expressed his desire to live a life that does not cause harm to others, rather than sticking to his standards of good and evil as he gets older. "I think there is no absolute evil or absolute good. In the show I wanted to express how conflicting values colliding from each person's position."

Go also said he doesn't have greed for material things like Hwang. "I don't do much shopping. I go around wearing tracksuit in slippers. I know that even if I make money it does not give me happiness so greed in such direction is different from Hwang Chul-beom. But There is a similar point in character socially. It seems that we both have lots of anger. And we seemed alike in respecting elderly."

Go felt catharsis at the set, "There were many times I felt like I was really doing it not acting it. I feel catharsis when communicating with sympathy. And that is when I react more focused." About other casts, Go said, "It is the first time I became so close to other casts doing a project. Kim Nam-gil, Kim Sung-gyun and Honey Lee- they are the most righteous actors I've ever met. I think they should be more successful. I got lots of help emotionally more than anything. They cheered me on even with difficult schedules they had, and we talked a lot together." He even picked the friendship with actors as the part that he thinks he did well doing Fiery Priest. "I think working with Kim Nam-gil, Kim Sung-gyun, and Honey Lee was the biggest harvest from this project for me. Filming cheering each other on became the nutritive element. I was so thankful."

Eum Moon-suk (Jang Ryung) has a special relationship with Go. Go taught him acting for ten years. "I was worried because he was an actor who I taught for very long. I was more nervous to see his acting than mine. He was the actor who had NG the most in the field. I'm glad- It seems he has digested his role well looking at viewers' reaction."

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Even though it hasn't been long since Go Joon became familiar face with public, he has lived as an actor for a long time since he appeared in the movie "Wanee & Junah" in 2001. In addition to many films, he did dramas such as DaeMul, Good Wife, Save me, Misty, and attracted the attention of viewers with his impressive acting. Go laughed at the remark on his popularity. "It's a bonus. I do not know about popularity. I only know when I hear like your question now. Because there is Kim Nam-gil who is very popular, and Honey Lee who has many female fans, I wonder people like me as bonus." Go continued, "I wonder if this is fabricated delusion. I feel like this is a story of another person, not mine. Something should've happened if I go around in my daily life [if I'm that popular], but nothing has happened."

Go stated he wants to play an emotional act because there has been too much action acting for him for many years. "I want to do emotion acting more than action. I want to stand for a sick person as my greatest desire of acting. For a few years I did the role of harassing weak people. I think it would be really good if I could represent the weak and express their minds whole-heartedly."

Go Joon dance (5:40 after winning the quiz prize Pork pack)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1glXFKdJnU

Other casts interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOrvqIuqs60

GJ fighting! You remember that steamy scene in Misty? No wonder people remember him in Misty more than The Fiery Priest. Go Joon mentioned about this in this week's variety Happy Together. He said Kiss scene was the first time for him or Kim Nam-joo. When he watched the broadcast, he felt it's watermark was rather high (too steamy), so whenever he saw a person who looked like Kim Seung-woo(Kim Nam-joo's husband), he ran away. lol

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My first time seeing GO JOON in a drama was SFD. I hope he'll continue to get good offers.

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Thanks for sharing as usual, @fanwho.

However, Go said he could not feel the popularity.

Aww, he was so memorable for me as Chul-beom. I didn't watch Misty, tbf. He must have been great in that as well for it to overshadow his latest role.

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More dramas ended, some with happy ending (Big Issue, Haechi, Psychometric guy?), some with frustrating ending (Possessed and Kill it). Yeah darn Kill it- Even though the setup the lead was a killer meant sad ending, it didn't prevented me from feeling upset after done watching. But Jang Gi-yong(28) who played the tormented hero was great (Congrats on Baeksang win!). He had a short interview after the show. [OSEN, 2019.04.28] In the show, Jang Gi-yong played the killer Kim Soo-hyun who was also veterinarian. He captivated the attention of viewers, with a cool gaze and a delicate expression of emotion.

Q. How do you feel after finishing shooting?
Jang: Because it was the acting and genre of the style I tried for the first time, there were some parts that did not work once filming started. So I was disappointed, but the director-nim, the writer-nim, and actors and sunbae-nim made comfortable set so I was able to film encouraged. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who worked hard for this project.

Q. What was your acting breath with your partner, Nana?
Jang: Because we were a killer and a detective, there were many scenes where we had to watch each other or confront each other. It was a relationship that could not be fulfilled in the drama, but we became close quickly on the set and filmed depending on each other. It was fortunate that in the last episode, Su-hyun and Hyun-jin could spend a happy time together even though it was imaginations.

Q. You had good chemistry with the actors Lee Jae-won (Phillip), Noh Jung-eui (Seul-gi) and even with animals. What did you feel shooting together?
Jang: It was always fun to film with Philip hyung. Even in a scene where I had to maintain expressionlessness, I laughed and made NG. He made the comical point to come alive well even in this heavy drama. Seul-gi also loved to play jokes and sparkled bright energy so I was able to shoot happily. And the shooting with the animals was easier than I thought. I don't have a companion animal, but I came to think this time that I have to have them soon.

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Q. What was the most memorable scene for you?
Jang: I remember scenes in ep 1 and 2 where I appeared with the actor David McGinnis (Pavel) the most. It was the first time I acted with a foreign actor, and also first time delivering English lines. I was worried about it even before I started filming, but David hyung checked my pronunciation and helped me a lot, so wonderful scenes could be produced.

Q. Su-hyun was a man of no expression. I guess it was not easy to express such emotions.
Jang: It was not easy because I had to convey various emotions while maintaining expressionlessness. I was always worried about how much I should express the level of emotion. I tried to fully understand Su-hyun in the script, and acted on it having lots of talk with director-nim at the set.

Q. You showed intense action acting. Was there and what was the most difficult or frightening shot?
Jang: It was the most scary when I had to ride the wire from the 7th floor. I was shooting at a moment focused on, but I don't know how I did it when I think about it now. I felt shaken when I watched the scene again from the viewer's point of view.
Q. Finally, a word to viewers?
Jang: "Kill It" maybe be a drama of an unfamiliar genre that viewers don't have many opportunities to watch, so I am thankful for the viewers who watched. The genre was a new challenge for me, but thanks to the support, I was able to finish it well. I will try to show another acting transformation in my next project, so I hope people keep watching and support me.

JGY fighting! I'm impressed with him in whatever I've watched- Go back Couple, My Ajussi, Come and Hug me, Kill it. He is great model-turned-actor (Did I read Nam Joo-hyuk(Light in your eyes) got inspiration from Jang to become an actor?)

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I'm glad we have a few sageuk dramas this year (and from known writers) like -Haechi by Dong Yi writer, Nokdu flower by Jeong Do-jun writer. I enjoyed Haechi and thought Nokdu flower had good start. PD Shin Kyung-soo of Nokdu flower talked about the intent of the show.[mk.co, 2019.04.17] "I wanted to draw a picture of the anger and frustration of young people in Korea in 2019 and the hopes of rising from it." Nokdu flower tells the life of half-brothers who had to fight in opposite side (of peasant army and royal army) in the whirlwind of Donghak Peasant Movement in 1894. Actor Jo Jung-seok and Yoon Si-yoon play step brothers Paek Yi-kang and Baek Yi Hyun.

PD Shin who directed the drama said, "I had a meeting with the writer since last year. I was able to find about two brothers of the Gobu Yibang family in Jeollabuk-do in 1894 when the Donghak Peasant Revolution took place. The historical background is just background, but actually, we wanted to talk about the love and hopes that go beyond the anger of young people. It will be nice if the story about the struggles and frustrations experienced by the younger generations, and the leap for a new era can give deep hope, resonance and encouragement in our times."

About the reason why they did not make general Nokdu Jeon Bong-joon, the symbolic figure of Donghak Peasant Movement, the lead, even though this is the first drama that dealt with this Movement, Shin said, "Actually we had desire to make a drama with Jeon Bong-joon at the center and front, so we worked on it for about two months, but it was not easy. Part of reason was that we were afraid we were tied up with one person, when In the end, it is not the story of one person but the story of the ordinary people of the day. Also, when Jeon Bong-joon is the main character, the width of the drama is limited so there is danger drama may be biased even though we can follow through the history. There was a danger that the drama might have tunnel vision."

The script for Nokdu flower was written by Jeong Hyun-min who wrote the KBS drama Jeong Do-jun (2014). Shin mentioned writer doing extensive research. "The script is given based on extensive and detailed historical research. There are not many records remained on the Donghak Peasant Revolution, and many of which are distorted. We are working with information which are most objective and safe among records in various resources such as from Japan, Chosun and Qing." Shin added, "In the meantime, I tried to cast to match the historical evidence, and we are also preparing the tone of art and acting according to the actual person. You will be able to meet Jeon Bong-joon who is alive and kicking, not buried in the history."

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Nokdu flower fighting! I still don't feel right seeing Choi Moo-sung as Jeon Bong-joon (I know how Choi prepared for the role, losing weight and all, but..). And I hope they make it not too depressing and have plenty of satisfying scenes (what history? I don't hear you).

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Jung Il-woo(32) has an interview after Haechi completed. It's interesting that the lead Jung Il-woo of Haechi and Yoon Si-yoon of Nokdu flower got their noteworthy popularity from High Kick series 1(2006) and 2(2009) where they have made their debut through auditions (They even look similar to me heh). I liked how Haechi was written for King YoungJo even though it missed romance potential (probably because of Go Ah-ra's injury).

According to Namuwiki, Jung Il-woo studied Broadcasting, then later transferred to major in Theater in college. He is best known for his roles in the sitcom "Unstoppable High Kick" (2006). Jung made a finalist among 250 who auditioned for Yoon-ho, the lead character role. Later, director Kim Byung-wook said that he chose Jung because Jung had pretty smile. Since then Jung appeared in dramas like The Return of Iljimae (2009), 49 Days (2011), Flower boy Ramen shop (2011), Moon Embracing the Sun (2012) and Cinderella with Four Knights (2016). In 2017, Jung starred in Gon Rak Game Ma Ya (Love and Lies), as the first Korean actor to land a leading role in a Thailand drama. He also won the Asia Male Actor award at Beijing's Huading Awards, as the first non-Chinese entertainer to be nominated at the awards show. In 2019, Jung starred in his first return project "Haechi" after military discharge in 2018.

In 2006, Jung sustained injuries in a car accident which killed the driver and passenger of the vehicle while riding with long-time friend and fellow actor Lee Min-ho (Boy over flowers) who was badly injured in the accident. In 2016, Jung was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm because of previous traffic accident, and although this would have exempted him from his mandatory military service, Jung finished his service as a social worker after completing basic military exercises for 4 weeks.

In the variety "My Ugly Duckling" in Feb., Jung Il-woo talked about his friendship with Lee Min-ho. "Lee Min-ho is the friend I like the most from my school days. I met him when I was in high school, and he was already famous in school. His face was radiant. He is polar opposite from me, and only thing we have in common is eating. But as we passed 30, we started to accept the parts we couldn't understand about each other, and started to be considerate."

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As side story, Jung is 184cm tall but when he was shooting "Flower Boy Ramen Shop", because other actors like Lee Ki-woo and Park Min-woo were taller than 190, Jung looked to be the smallest so he was stressed about it, and ended up always wearing the insole with his shoes.lol

Now onto the interview. [OSEN, Starnews, 2019.05.01-03] Haechi is a drama about the process of Yi Geum becoming the king YoungJo (Jung Il-woo), who was born from low-birth watermaid mother. Haechi was a return project of Jung Il-woo from his military service last year. "After the military service, the biggest change in the filming set I found was that we didn't spend the night on the set," he said with surprise. "The set atmosphere was exceptionally good. The director-nim took charge of the atmosphere, and the camera and the lighting director-nim filmed with passion, and the actors followed well. Since I was the lead, I also tried to have the set with good atmosphere, holding my position at the center."

However Jung had difficulties, "I have been shooting for 6 months without a break after having more than two years gap, and it seemed like I was running really busy and fierce for a while. I worried a lot about my return project, but I decided because of good writer-nim, good director-nim, good script and good character. The reason it was harder than ever was that the character itself was a lot harder, and there were complications and things were hectic but it seemed like we were able to wrap up well."
When asked what happened on personal side if it was eventful, Jung said "My dog died. He always waited for me by the door when I got home. I was heartbroken to hear he was found dead by the door. I feel sad I didn't spend much time with him. I don't know when I die, and I don't know when people around me leave, so I plan to enjoy now." He also realized it-"Be faithful to the present"- as serving in a nursing home for his military service, watching the people at the end of their lives.

Jung continued talking about the show, "I really missed the filming set, but I felt so difficult doing this project that I thought, "Was there really a two-year gap?" As we did the shoot in country-side without a break every day, I was exhausted physically. There has been a lot of rain during this project, and I cried a lot, and there were accidents. The character itself was kind of impossible - who was born with blood of low-birth but became the king. Like the character became the king overcoming many difficulties, I also had a lot of hardships mentally, but I grew going through this project. My goal doing this project was that I wanted to hear that I grew a lot acting-wise compared to the past, and I have made a great deal of effort to do so."

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About the part he put emphasis on, Jung stated, "I tried to act not using the face as much as possible. There are times facial expressions and eyes were shown excessively as I did romantic comedy mostly after I made my debut in a sitcom. I thought if I express it in a sincere way from my mind instead of expressing it with a face, it would show so I tried to act without using eyes and facial expressions. I think it's a lot different from the past when I acted more sincerely rather than technically." Jung did many sageuk dramas. When asked if he didn't feel any burden doing sageuk again, he said, "I didn't have burden on genre. I checked many projects as my returning project, but I had most desire for Haechi because of the power of writer Kim Yi-young's work. I was interested in how she recreated the character Young-Jo. The fact Youngjo was never the lead in the past drama was very attractive. Also many great sunbae-nim played Youngjo, so it was a honor for me to play Youngjo role." When asked how he made it different since many projects had Youngjo in them and many actors played the role, Jung said "I did not try to make it distinctive from previous works, because every actor interprets differently. I tried to act engaging in our project's Youngjo, Yi Geum character."

Jung laughed when asked about the satisfaction of this work, "I wasn't actually satisfied. There are things I felt lacking and disappointment. Since time was limited we couldn't do even if we wanted to shoot more. It seems there are things I do not like when a project finishes every time." Nevertheless, there was a best scene he picked and it was king Kyung-jong's death scene where Jung infused all emotions. "Actually, there was a scene where my brother Prince Yeon-ryung died in the beginning. He met sudden death and I found him and tried to wake him up. We took the full shot and I acted sincerely, but when we tried to take bust scene after 1 hour, I couldn't get same emotion. I felt disappointed. So when filming Kyung-jong's death scene, I asked to take a bust shot first, and I was more focused and filmed with all sincerity. When I shot that scene, my brother died, my father died and all my family died. I actually didn't feel good since the day before I filmed. I couldn't even eat because I felt bad sending someone away. I was very sad when I shot that scene. It was edited in the drama, but later the director-nim said that I ran at the nose a lot."

Jung also said, "Every time writer-nim saw me, she said she was sorry. Because the character was difficult and Yi Geum had to lead the whole drama, but I wondered if I ever could meet this role again living my life as an actor. There were a lot of people who acted really well and had a solid acting ability among leads and side characters. I liked all the scenes I acted with Lee Kyung-young sunbae-nim (Minister Min). Because all reactions and acting breathes came out naturally while exchanging lines and...

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...emotions, I thought "There are 10,000 things I could learn from sunbae-nim." And Jung Moon-sung(Mil Poong), Park Hoon(Dal Moon) hyung etc. had deep acting experience. As acting I asked hyung lots of opinions as to what they think, and I shared a lot of things while keeping in touch with them before and after shooting. In particular, Jung Moon-sung hyung was like real brother. Hyung took care of me well, and even though in the drama, we were characters who clashed, but we were like brothers other times. I really liked that doing this drama."

There was change in filming schedule and scripts due to injury Go Ah-ra had during the drama. "Actually we began filming 3 weeks before the broadcast, but ended up losing 2 weeks. Script was very much revised, and I talked and worried a lot with the director-nim and writer-nim, but I was thankful that Ah-ra returned to the set with her will. It was not something I could do anything about it, but I was worried what if Ah-ra would have hindrance in her acting life not just in this project, but as an actress. Fortunately she didn't get hurt badly."

Jung appeared in many projects after he made debut with "High Kick" in his 20's. What could be his life project? "Of course my life project in my 20's is High Kick. And I wonder Youngjo role in Haechi is my life project in my 30s. As I acted Youngjo, my attitude toward acting changed a lot. I admitted the acting I had in mind was wrong and accepted something new." He regrets having long breaks in his 20's. "Even though the public might think I've worked without a break, there are times I took break for two years, one and a half years. I wonder why I took a break like that. I can't play the role I could do in my 20's. And I would feel there are roles I could only do in my 30's when I am in my 40s. So I think it is important to accumulate whatever roles I play. I should work without a break when opportunity is given."

Jung continued, "Well, the thought I had when I returned from the army service was that even though it is thankful that I have been working receiving big love since my debut, what I have to remember is "Being a star is short-lived". So I think I have to be recognized as actor, and this is my career then I should be able to do for a lifetime. I plan to take a role even if I am not a main character as long as it is a role I desire to do. Actually I think it's natural that the role given to me will get smaller when I get older. I think that I may be able to be a long-remembered actor when I do my best, keep playing a character I can do well naturally. Currently I have offers for drama, film, and overseas projects. Since there was over two years gap, I do not think I should rest until next year."

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He added, "I think I should have a little more weight as an actor and it is only possible with experience. I can't dare to give vibe like Lee Kyung-young sunbae-nim, but I think I can do such acts if I accumulate experience over years." About what kind of actor he wants to be, Jung said "I hope I can become an actor who can give good influence to the public. Even though I am not a public figure, I think I might have some influence, so I want to be an actor who can give good influence."

JIW fighting!

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Jung Il Woo is my sweetie. I just love him. Weirdly, not a crush. But like the sweet eccentric fun-loving oppa you'd pal around with in college.

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Hi, beanies. A bit late to this post.
I just uploaded Chapter 21 of my fanfic Oh Sunny's Diary, and it's entitled I Have Missed You So, Oh Sunny. You can check it out here

https://www.asianfanfics.com/story/view/1386079/oh-sunny-s-diary-lee-hyuk-s-confusing-me

I miss Hyuk a lot, and am waiting for SSR's drama to premiere in June. Hyuk is the only reason I'm still labouring over my fanfic.

Hyuk, Hyuk
My world is blue
Blue is my world
Now I'm without you

Red, red
My eyes are red
Longing for you
Alone in the dark

In the meantime, I'm watching Put Your Head on My Shoulder...so sweet... and Her Private Life. The kiss scenes take my breath away. Literally. I stop breathing in every kiss scene. Their chemistry is so palpable, and the fact that there is an absolute silence, a stillness, in each of these scenes, makes it even more tense and charged. The other side characters are boring, though. I dislike the annoying childhood friend. The close girlfriend seems to be housing a crush on the pretty boy helper. It's supposed to be funny, but it leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. She's married with a kid, and I don't know, it doesn't feel right somehow. Fastforwarding to the hot publisher and annoying writer scenes in Mother of Mine. A lot of viewers hate her, but I'm ok with her, because the hot publisher is so hot, and he's falling for her. I stopped watching Confession, because it's getting boring and draggy.

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