Smile is hitting exactly the right notes for me. Though not wildly innovative, there’s something organic and sweet about the pacing and tone that I really enjoy. When there’s as much chemistry & development as there is in these two episodes, reducing the repartee to a line of summary just doesn’t do it justice. So I apologize if these recaps get a bit long-winded!

The actors play off each other really well in small ways that are especially hard to capture, like the moment above when Jung-in makes an excited puppy-face at Hyun-soo. Out of context, it looks almost silly, but it’s the kind of unapologetically endearing moments that abound in this drama.

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Filed under: Drama Recaps by soyjoy - 64 Comments →

How the mighty have fallen…

As soyjoy mentioned in her last recap, watching an episode twice makes the shortcomings glaringly obvious. This definitely isn’t a masterpiece that needs to be seen more than once. It’s not surprising for a 50-episode series to be drawn out, but I think some plot development/movement is in order. Fortunately, Lee Chun Hee’s entrance has infused a bit of energy and his love interest has been revealed, giving me some hope for the future. I still enjoy the goofy and sweet moments, so all is not lost.

[Just a little housekeeping note: Unfortunately, our 3rd partner in crime had to bow out, leaving 2 of us for the recaps. With the good ratings, I fully expect to see 50 episodes of Smile, leading to our decision to recap 2 episodes together going forward.]

SONG OF THE DAY

Smile OST – “안녕 내 사랑” (Goodbye, My Love) by Melo’ Breeze [ Download ]

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SBS’s new weekend drama Smile (or Smile, You) got off to a brisk start and seems to be poised to do decently. Is it wildly innovative or surprising? No — but it IS refreshing and fun. Like with so many romantic storylines in dramas, the lovelines here are obvious and expected, but the chemistry between the adorable lead characters makes it enjoyable to watch.

SONG OF THE DAY

Taru – “Night Flying” [ Download ]

SMILE Episodes 1 & 2 >>

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Aw, isn’t little Wang Seok-hyun cute?

September 5 saw the end of the 17th Chunsa Film Festival and its closing-night awards ceremony, which was held in Icheon, Kyunggi-do. The winners list was dominated by the popular, recently released sports film Take Off [국가대표, or National Athlete], although vampire film Thirst did well, as did lush period piece Portrait of a Beauty.

Full winners list below:

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Actress Choi Jung-yoon is receiving positive reviews and lots of applause for her stage debut role in a play called My First Time — which, yes, refers to sex. (The play is rated adults-only for its sexual-themed dialogue.)

The play originated off-Broadway in 2007 and features actors relating first-time sexual experiences, taken from real people’s stories, presented Vagina Monologues-style. In this production, Choi takes the lead role and shares her character’s first time in a bright, comic segment (her first was an unexpected occurrence after spending the night with a gay friend in a college dorm room). Audiences are responding enthusiastically, enjoying and relating to the hilariously told stories.

Given the theme, many name actors were hesitant to take part, though Choi approaches the role heartily. (Although she’s played a number of good-girl characters in the past (Taereung National Village, Bad Couple), she also made a foray into more risqué fare with Sex and the City-esque cable drama Romance Hunter. The drama was all right but Choi was good; I think she’s really hitting her stride in her later career.)

The play premiered on January 1 in Seoul’s Daehakro Art Madang and runs through March 31.

Via IS Plus

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Filed under: Theater/Musicals by javabeans - 7 Comments →