Ugh. I’ve kind of avoided looking up details about this whole mess, but today curiosity got the better of me and I read those group chat translations. I’m sickened. I need to read/watch something now that will remind me of the goodness that exists in humanity, because I truly believe there is a lot.
Wow, TCC. Not only did you make me lose interest in almost everyone and everything several episodes ago, but you also managed to turn my indifference into anger in the end by killing off the one character I still cared about – and in an utterly pointless way, at that. In the words of DAY6: “Congratulations, neon cham daedanhae.” (Spoilers and continued rant in comment.)
Officer Jang Moo-young. I don’t know exactly when he became my favorite character in this entire show, but I think it was somewhere around his Huntsman moment where he decided to save Ha Seon and disobey the king. Even when my investment in other characters waned, even when I wished I could feel sad (or at least feel something) about things like Haksan’s death but didn’t, one shot of Jang Moo-young’s tear-filled eyes was enough to bring some emotion back. He was one of the few reasons I didn’t drop the show, even.
I wanted so much more for him. I wanted to see him learn about and grapple with the death of the real king. (Unfortunately, he, like everyone else including Ha Seon, conveniently forgot Yi Heon ever existed.) I wanted him to find meaning and purpose in dedicating his life to someone or something worthy, instead of blindly serving the crown. I just wanted him to live, darnit. Instead, he dies just so Ha Seon and the queen can have the typical dramatic separation and reunion that contributed nothing to the story. I would still have been heartbroken, but I could have accepted him dying if it at least meant something. But no.
I’m so mad right now. I don’t know what else to say.
I literally almost turned it off with ten(?) minutes left in the show because they said he was dead, so what was the point of finishing? Of course Ha Seon wasn’t dead; of course they were going to reunite. Sigh. You couldn’t let Moo-young miraculously live too?
You are absolutely right! All that was left for me was anger! And rage! I liked the part where he decides to give up the crown – it was a it random and where did this righteous prince come from? – anyway but this separation trope the I am dead but not really trope made my blood boil! Poor Moo Young. He deserved to live
There were so many things in this show that I could see what they were trying for, but it didn’t make sense in the context of the first half. I might be sad about it if I weren’t so angry.
Ow. I mean, I knew it was coming. Haechi is a sageuk, after all. There has to be at least one emotionally wrecking episode near the beginning. It’s the rule. But this one hit harder than expected.
Well. Just finished MOTA. I weep for the unfulfilled potential. (And Sec Seo!) But I guess Missing Yeol 2.0 didn’t end quite as poorly as the first one.
The extra long wait for new episodes of God’s Quiz this week had me thinking about why these two always come to mind when I’m asked about my ultimate drama OTP (continued in comment)…
…and I think I’ve decided it’s because they are, first and foremost, a team. They balance each other well: she’s more physically capable and street savvy and usually prefers to attack problems with her fists, while he’s more book-smart (being a genius and all) and can talk his way in and out of almost anything, but they’re pretty evenly matched in terms of compassion and determination to protect and save lives.
And, above all, they communicate openly and honestly with each other. It seems like a lot of times in Dramaland, external conflicts create conflicts within the main relationship as well (often through Noble Idiocy), but for these two, conflicts and problems are puzzles that they sit down and talk about and solve as partners. Sure, there have been a few times when one considered going the Noble Idiot route, but the other always shuts it down immediately because 1) they talk about it and 2) they know they’re better and stronger together. Way back at the beginning of season 1, they were both very guarded individuals, but as they slowly opened up to each other it created this super strong bond of trust between them that I think is so beautiful.
What is it with VIXX guys suddenly popping up where I don’t expect them? I had no idea N was in Familiar Wife, and I forgot Hongbin was in HMSFTS, until (in both cases) I was watching the first episode and, hang on, that guy looks a lot like… (I’m sorry for being a bad Starlight!)
In other news, HMSFTS has me intrigued and very unsettled for no identifiable reason. I like it.
Wow, Mr. Sunshine. I\’m not always one for a sad ending, but you made it quite beautiful. (But WHY couldn\’t you have been as good as you were these last few weeks during the whole 24 episodes???)
Are you a Secret Garden fan? The SG bench is at Seogwipo and I’m so sad that I forgot to visit there when I was in Jeju but I was only there for 1.5 days unfortunately.
I did like a tour bus thing where they take you to the Innisfree green tea field (and you can shop for green tea snacks and skincare), a nature park with caves, a beach, a waterfall mountain hike, a temple hike to see Buddha and monks, and I ended up going to Hello Kitty Island at Jeju to visit the Hello Kitty cafe cause I’m a fan of kawaii/aegyo type things.
I wanted to do a submarine tour they had available but I had to go back to Seoul for a birthday party of a mutual friend that was living in Korea at the time. Anyway Jeju is very beautiful and whatever you end up doing, I’m sure will be wonderful!
Recently all the dramas I’ve kept up with (which is far less than usual) have been at most enjoyable – all of them lacking that special something – so I was hoping against hope that Jung Kyung-ho (and Life on Mars in general) would come through and rescue me from this drama slump.
Well, I just finished the first episode, and I’m so happy I could cry.
I\’ve had such a weird relationship with The Great Seducer (which I guess is fitting, considering all of its weird relationships). It wasn\’t a good show, but somehow I relished the crazy. I might even miss it.
But! What about Hye-jung and Joo-an?? Why couldn’t they tie that one up neatly too??
Had a very strange but almost coherent Kdrama dream last night:
Kim Kang-woo and Shin Jae-ha were partners of some kind, but I don’t think they were detectives. Then one night Kim Kang-woo jumps off a balcony and gets arrested, while Shin Jae-ha flees on a motorcycle. This breaks Kim Kang-woo’s heart, because he thinks Shin Jae-ha has betrayed/abandoned him. I’m not sure why he was arrested, but being a Kdrama, I’m guessing he was framed for murder. In any case, everyone (including Kim Kang-woo) thinks Shin Jae-ha is guilty because he ran away, but I, the viewer, was pretty sure there was another reason he fled and they were both innocent. I also remember the female cop who arrested him was assigned to work with this really handsome guy from some other department, and of course they immediately got on each other’s nerves which of course meant they were going to end up together. Oh, and there was also this little recurring joke about “Do you guys always jump off buildings?”
Then there was this really random, annoying interlude where a horror movie started playing, and I was trying to turn it off. It was literally just Nam Joo-Hyuk and this older woman screaming at something to open its eyes, but I knew it was a horror movie and I wasn’t at all interested in sticking around for the actually scary stuff.
My mind is a strange place… But I’d say it knows dramas pretty well.
Finally got around to writing reflections on 2017, and I came up with this summation:
Spring follows winter, joy comes in the morning, and the show must go on.
I decided to post it here, because my friends and family who aren’t into K-entertainment won’t be able to fully appreciate how perfectly it frames the year: The first part was inspired by Solomon’s Perjury (which was airing last January) and the last part was inspired by Day6 (from the very end of the December music video).
mistyisles
March 25, 2019 at 6:49 AM
Oh no, I’m conflicted. Kill It is… strange. But ep 2 went all City Hunter on me and I kinda liked it. In a cheesy way.
mistyisles
March 12, 2019 at 9:37 PM
Ugh. I’ve kind of avoided looking up details about this whole mess, but today curiosity got the better of me and I read those group chat translations. I’m sickened. I need to read/watch something now that will remind me of the goodness that exists in humanity, because I truly believe there is a lot.
blnmom
March 12, 2019 at 10:31 PM
Coffee Friends. Polar opposite of that stuff.
mistyisles
March 12, 2019 at 10:47 PM
That was actually the first thing that came to my mind too! ❤️
Currently Living On Planet Earth
March 12, 2019 at 10:51 PM
Ugh, yes and as more news come out, it’s just so disturbing to hear how this is so much bigger than what was initially thought…
mistyisles
March 5, 2019 at 4:52 AM
Wow, TCC. Not only did you make me lose interest in almost everyone and everything several episodes ago, but you also managed to turn my indifference into anger in the end by killing off the one character I still cared about – and in an utterly pointless way, at that. In the words of DAY6: “Congratulations, neon cham daedanhae.” (Spoilers and continued rant in comment.)
mistyisles
March 5, 2019 at 4:54 AM
Officer Jang Moo-young. I don’t know exactly when he became my favorite character in this entire show, but I think it was somewhere around his Huntsman moment where he decided to save Ha Seon and disobey the king. Even when my investment in other characters waned, even when I wished I could feel sad (or at least feel something) about things like Haksan’s death but didn’t, one shot of Jang Moo-young’s tear-filled eyes was enough to bring some emotion back. He was one of the few reasons I didn’t drop the show, even.
I wanted so much more for him. I wanted to see him learn about and grapple with the death of the real king. (Unfortunately, he, like everyone else including Ha Seon, conveniently forgot Yi Heon ever existed.) I wanted him to find meaning and purpose in dedicating his life to someone or something worthy, instead of blindly serving the crown. I just wanted him to live, darnit. Instead, he dies just so Ha Seon and the queen can have the typical dramatic separation and reunion that contributed nothing to the story. I would still have been heartbroken, but I could have accepted him dying if it at least meant something. But no.
I’m so mad right now. I don’t know what else to say.
mistyisles
March 5, 2019 at 5:04 AM
I literally almost turned it off with ten(?) minutes left in the show because they said he was dead, so what was the point of finishing? Of course Ha Seon wasn’t dead; of course they were going to reunite. Sigh. You couldn’t let Moo-young miraculously live too?
RenOIshi
March 5, 2019 at 2:19 PM
You are absolutely right! All that was left for me was anger! And rage! I liked the part where he decides to give up the crown – it was a it random and where did this righteous prince come from? – anyway but this separation trope the I am dead but not really trope made my blood boil! Poor Moo Young. He deserved to live
mistyisles
March 5, 2019 at 6:27 PM
There were so many things in this show that I could see what they were trying for, but it didn’t make sense in the context of the first half. I might be sad about it if I weren’t so angry.
Ally
March 5, 2019 at 4:20 PM
I never got through the first episode, so my “like” was solely for the Day6 mention!
mistyisles
March 5, 2019 at 6:29 PM
They’re the best. \^0^/
mistyisles
February 20, 2019 at 3:35 AM
Ow. I mean, I knew it was coming. Haechi is a sageuk, after all. There has to be at least one emotionally wrecking episode near the beginning. It’s the rule. But this one hit harder than expected.
mistyisles
February 20, 2019 at 3:35 AM
I’m so sad now. 🙁
gadis
February 20, 2019 at 3:53 AM
I certainly didn’t expect 3 deaths at the same time. Uuff… Yi Geum will be an emotional wreck next week.
Giegie
February 20, 2019 at 5:55 AM
Prince Yeon Reong ;(
mistyisles
February 20, 2019 at 8:58 PM
🙁 I knew he was doomed from the start. But he was so sweet! And they loved each other so much!
mistyisles
January 30, 2019 at 3:55 AM
Well. Just finished MOTA. I weep for the unfulfilled potential. (And Sec Seo!) But I guess Missing Yeol 2.0 didn’t end quite as poorly as the first one.
mistyisles
January 4, 2019 at 8:16 PM
Maybe I’ve been watching too much MOTA and Doctor Who. Because now watching God’s Quiz, I’m starting to wonder if CODAS is actually alive…
mistyisles
January 4, 2019 at 3:41 AM
The extra long wait for new episodes of God’s Quiz this week had me thinking about why these two always come to mind when I’m asked about my ultimate drama OTP (continued in comment)…
mistyisles
January 4, 2019 at 3:41 AM
…and I think I’ve decided it’s because they are, first and foremost, a team. They balance each other well: she’s more physically capable and street savvy and usually prefers to attack problems with her fists, while he’s more book-smart (being a genius and all) and can talk his way in and out of almost anything, but they’re pretty evenly matched in terms of compassion and determination to protect and save lives.
And, above all, they communicate openly and honestly with each other. It seems like a lot of times in Dramaland, external conflicts create conflicts within the main relationship as well (often through Noble Idiocy), but for these two, conflicts and problems are puzzles that they sit down and talk about and solve as partners. Sure, there have been a few times when one considered going the Noble Idiot route, but the other always shuts it down immediately because 1) they talk about it and 2) they know they’re better and stronger together. Way back at the beginning of season 1, they were both very guarded individuals, but as they slowly opened up to each other it created this super strong bond of trust between them that I think is so beautiful.
mistyisles
December 28, 2018 at 6:38 PM
I was a little late to discover this, but woww it’s so beautiful <3
mugyuljoie is preciousss
December 28, 2018 at 9:59 PM
It’s beautiful and calming, isn’t it?
mistyisles
December 29, 2018 at 12:02 AM
It is!
mistyisles
December 10, 2018 at 3:46 AM
What a day. DAY6 Youth: Part 2 AND Memories of the Alhambra episode 4. Send help. I\’m having a mental breakdown.
mistyisles
October 4, 2018 at 4:42 AM
What is it with VIXX guys suddenly popping up where I don’t expect them? I had no idea N was in Familiar Wife, and I forgot Hongbin was in HMSFTS, until (in both cases) I was watching the first episode and, hang on, that guy looks a lot like… (I’m sorry for being a bad Starlight!)
In other news, HMSFTS has me intrigued and very unsettled for no identifiable reason. I like it.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
October 4, 2018 at 6:59 AM
N was great in Familiar Wife.
mistyisles
September 30, 2018 at 10:13 PM
Wow, Mr. Sunshine. I\’m not always one for a sad ending, but you made it quite beautiful. (But WHY couldn\’t you have been as good as you were these last few weeks during the whole 24 episodes???)
mistyisles
July 25, 2018 at 8:46 AM
Hi Beanies! My sister and I are going to Jeju for 3-4 days next month and need advice! What should we not miss while we\’re there?
delphy
July 25, 2018 at 9:43 AM
Sunrise peak is a mustgo for me!
I’ve planned a day of Udo island actually but couldnt get there cos of the weather, you might want to check it out.
ohhaeyoung
July 25, 2018 at 9:53 AM
Are you a Secret Garden fan? The SG bench is at Seogwipo and I’m so sad that I forgot to visit there when I was in Jeju but I was only there for 1.5 days unfortunately.
I did like a tour bus thing where they take you to the Innisfree green tea field (and you can shop for green tea snacks and skincare), a nature park with caves, a beach, a waterfall mountain hike, a temple hike to see Buddha and monks, and I ended up going to Hello Kitty Island at Jeju to visit the Hello Kitty cafe cause I’m a fan of kawaii/aegyo type things.
I wanted to do a submarine tour they had available but I had to go back to Seoul for a birthday party of a mutual friend that was living in Korea at the time. Anyway Jeju is very beautiful and whatever you end up doing, I’m sure will be wonderful!
mistyisles
June 26, 2018 at 2:28 AM
I’ve never used the word “banger” to describe a song before (or anything, for that matter), but if the shoe fits…
mistyisles
June 9, 2018 at 10:25 PM
Recently all the dramas I’ve kept up with (which is far less than usual) have been at most enjoyable – all of them lacking that special something – so I was hoping against hope that Jung Kyung-ho (and Life on Mars in general) would come through and rescue me from this drama slump.
Well, I just finished the first episode, and I’m so happy I could cry.
mistyisles
May 2, 2018 at 7:27 AM
I\’ve had such a weird relationship with The Great Seducer (which I guess is fitting, considering all of its weird relationships). It wasn\’t a good show, but somehow I relished the crazy. I might even miss it.
But! What about Hye-jung and Joo-an?? Why couldn’t they tie that one up neatly too??
mistyisles
April 17, 2018 at 2:39 AM
Ahhhh it’s so good!
Also, I kind of really want to try out that piano. Does it play music? Or only release scent? What is it???
mistyisles
March 28, 2018 at 7:38 AM
Finally, my k-pop first loves are back! <3 <3
I have missed them so much more than I even realized.
natzillagorilla
March 28, 2018 at 12:51 PM
Yeeeesss!!! <3 <3 <3
mistyisles
February 3, 2018 at 9:34 PM
Had a very strange but almost coherent Kdrama dream last night:
Kim Kang-woo and Shin Jae-ha were partners of some kind, but I don’t think they were detectives. Then one night Kim Kang-woo jumps off a balcony and gets arrested, while Shin Jae-ha flees on a motorcycle. This breaks Kim Kang-woo’s heart, because he thinks Shin Jae-ha has betrayed/abandoned him. I’m not sure why he was arrested, but being a Kdrama, I’m guessing he was framed for murder. In any case, everyone (including Kim Kang-woo) thinks Shin Jae-ha is guilty because he ran away, but I, the viewer, was pretty sure there was another reason he fled and they were both innocent. I also remember the female cop who arrested him was assigned to work with this really handsome guy from some other department, and of course they immediately got on each other’s nerves which of course meant they were going to end up together. Oh, and there was also this little recurring joke about “Do you guys always jump off buildings?”
Then there was this really random, annoying interlude where a horror movie started playing, and I was trying to turn it off. It was literally just Nam Joo-Hyuk and this older woman screaming at something to open its eyes, but I knew it was a horror movie and I wasn’t at all interested in sticking around for the actually scary stuff.
My mind is a strange place… But I’d say it knows dramas pretty well.
daydee
April 9, 2018 at 3:55 PM
😀
mistyisles
January 27, 2018 at 7:19 PM
Currently traveling in Xinjiang, NW China, and look who I found!
mistyisles
January 27, 2018 at 7:20 PM
(This was near Flaming Mountain, one of the locations in Journey to the West!)
korfan
January 28, 2018 at 8:06 PM
Have a great time on your trip!
mistyisles
February 3, 2018 at 9:33 PM
Thank you!
mistyisles
January 21, 2018 at 5:29 AM
Finally got around to writing reflections on 2017, and I came up with this summation:
Spring follows winter, joy comes in the morning, and the show must go on.
I decided to post it here, because my friends and family who aren’t into K-entertainment won’t be able to fully appreciate how perfectly it frames the year: The first part was inspired by Solomon’s Perjury (which was airing last January) and the last part was inspired by Day6 (from the very end of the December music video).