I really enjoyed the last episode, because it was satisfying in showing us the growth of the characters over some time without feeling too rushed. Alice in Cheongdam-dong was a bumpy but short ride, and somehow the writer still managed to make a point about class and wealth in Korean society, as well as poke holes in our expectations of Korean dramas. In the end, this was more than just a romantic comedy; it made you think.

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Read the rest of Alice in Cheongdam-dong: Episode 16 (Final) (3,966 words)

© kaedejun for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 143 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alice in Cheongdam-dong, featured, Moon Geun-young, Park Shi-hoo

This was a very Seung-jo-centric episode. Seung-jo’s been used by three women for monetary purposes, so it’s high time he try to sort out his issues rather than run away from them. But it doesn’t stop him from being maddeningly self-centered about his situation, as if he’s the only one whose feelings matter. He does raise this one important question: What’s so great about Cheongdam-dong that everyone wants to enter it?

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Read the rest of Alice in Cheongdam-dong: Episode 15 (3,477 words)

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Post tags: Alice in Cheongdam-dong, featured, Moon Geun-young, Park Shi-hoo

Lots of yelling. Lots of heartbreak. Lots of satisfaction. For me, this week truly redeemed last week’s. Even though I’m averse to watching characters have their sufferings dragged out for several episodes, I do hope to watch Seung-jo and Se-kyung suffer for a bit. If we’re going to build up this little white lie into a big crisis that everyone else in Cheongdam-dong is treating it, then we ought to have a big blowout, right?

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Read the rest of Alice in Cheongdam-dong: Episode 14 (2,860 words)

© kaedejun for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 74 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alice in Cheongdam-dong, featured, Moon Geun-young, Park Shi-hoo

FINALLY! I feel this episode makes up for last week’s horrendously dragging episodes. (I exaggerate a bit, but I certainly wasn’t pleased last week.) Revelations abound, but with somewhat unexpected results. These results are both infuriating and satisfying, because even though I wish they turned out differently, the reactions to the truth have allowed for relationships to be strengthened.

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Read the rest of Alice in Cheongdam-dong: Episode 13 (3,490 words)

© kaedejun for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 142 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alice in Cheongdam-dong, featured, Moon Geun-young, Park Shi-hoo

We’re getting to that point in that series where the story is starting to drag as all the characters inch ever closer to the startling truth that Se-kyung and Yoon-joo are -gasp!- gold diggers. There are no surprises in this episode, which makes me feel like we’re really winding down to the last four episodes. While I commend the story outlining – because it’s about time we’re here in the series – I do wish it had retained some of the old charm and quirkiness that it had about 8 episodes ago. But oh well – let’s just get right on with how In-hwa is becoming that villain we always see.

SONG OF THE DAY

Lee Seung-hwan, feat. Yozoh – “I’m Sorry” for Alice in Cheongdam-dong OST [download]

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Read the rest of Alice in Cheongdam-dong: Episode 12 (4,601 words)

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Post tags: Alice in Cheongdam-dong, featured, Moon Geun-young, Park Shi-hoo

I must admit, I wasn’t too thrilled by this episode because it was more or less predictable regarding the aftermath of the engagement announcement. I mean, who was going to start clapping and cheering for their impending marriage? What was quite interesting instead was the personality makeovers that the side characters got, as well as the new ‘do Se-kyung wore as she became the black swan. No longer was she going to be pure – she was going to be dirty through and through. This was the transformation I expected of her 8 episodes ago.

SONG OF THE DAY

Every Single Day – “Alice” for Alice in Cheongdam-dong OST [download]

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Read the rest of Alice in Cheongdam-dong: Episode 11 (4,154 words)

© kaedejun for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 76 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alice in Cheongdam-dong, featured, Moon Geun-young, Park Shi-hoo

Oh – how can an episode be so dissatisfying and satisfying at the same time? It’s crazy how much this drama has made me think about myself and my own motivations for doing things. I like that our main couple is starting to face truths about themselves, but what I don’t like is how long it’s taking for us to get them to say it to each other. I have to commend So Yi-hyun though for making a character so interesting even though she spends most of her time looking horror-stricken or crying.

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Read the rest of Alice in Cheongdam-dong: Episode 10 (4,025 words)

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Post tags: Alice in Cheongdam-dong, featured, Moon Geun-young, Park Shi-hoo

Oh the wait has been much too long! And this episode jumps right back into the swing of things, keeping up a zippy pace as if we didn’t have one week off. I’m grateful for it, since it’s about time for certain revelations to come to a head and for Se-kyung to make more definitive decisions about her life. While I hate sleazebag Tommy, I have to say I way prefer him as the main villain rather than spending my time hating Se-kyung, Yoon-joo, or Daddy Cha. He is quite the delicious dirt bag. (I think my biases for the actor and the character are clashing…)

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Read the rest of Alice in Cheongdam-dong: Episode 9 (4,388 words)

© kaedejun for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 85 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alice in Cheongdam-dong, featured, Moon Geun-young, Park Shi-hoo

The drop into hell is just as bad as I thought – if not worse. The truth really changes people, and while you’d hope it’s for the better, in this instance it changes people for the worse. We’ve seen Se-kyung grow into a stronger person who will do whatever it takes to achieve her dream. Now we’ve reached the point where it’s time for her to achieve that dream, and become a “Cheongdamdong wife” – which was the focus of the series. However, I now fully realize that I never really wanted her to succeed.

For all that I’ve seen to this point, I commend this drama for forcing us to take an introspective look into who we are and what we really want in our lives.

SONG OF THE DAY

“Love Like This” by K.Will for Alice in Cheongdam-dong OST [download]

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Read the rest of Alice in Cheongdam-dong: Episode 8 (4,303 words)

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Post tags: Alice in Cheongdam-dong, featured, Moon Geun-young, Park Shi-hoo

This episode in particular was a little more somber as we watch Se-kyung at a crossroads – should she continue to love a man she thinks isn’t wealthy, or should she abandon him and focus on her goal? Whichever she chooses, this series is better whenever comedy comes into play. I don’t mind if this show even throws logic out the window because honestly, the characters and their quirks have already stolen my heart. (Secretary Moon – please mist my face too whenever I’m stressed!) It can do whatever it wants, and my brain will just follow.

SONG OF THE DAY

“Daddy Long Legs” – Baek Ah Yeon for the Alice in Cheongdam-dong OST [download]

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Read the rest of Alice in Cheongdam-dong: Episode 7 (3,838 words)

© kaedejun for Dramabeans, 2012. | Permalink | 64 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Alice in Cheongdam-dong, featured, Moon Geun-young, Park Shi-hoo