Podcast #15

Running time: 57:28

In which we:

• Start off with King of Dramas, the king of meta;
• move on to the pain and misery of I Miss You (10:15);
• compare notes on how our expectations for School 2013 shook out versus the final product, with much love for its bromance and a little less love for the afterschool specials, with a brief tangent on Bleak Night (15:45);
• wish that Jeon Woo-chi had more dimension, though we enjoyed the fun, Cha Tae-hyun’s impishness, and Hong Jong-hyun’s adorable stoic charm (22:00);
• talk about how adorable Flower Boy Next Door is, Yoon Shi-yoon’s endearing performance and his cute chemistry with Park Shin-hye (though it must be noted that the podcast was recorded before finale week — I think we’d have a few tempered comments to add were we given a do-over) (32:50);
• and wrap up with the juvenile antics of Level 7 Civil Servant (42:35).

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Read the rest of Dramabeans Podcast #15 (157 words)

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Post tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, I Miss You, Jeon Woo-chi, King of Dramas, Level 7 Civil Servant, School 2013

It’s the end of the road for our Miss Lonelyhearts and her flower boy neighbors, in a finale about the difference between what each character thought was love, and how that perception changes when they experience it firsthand. Is love watching from afar? Seeing the world through the other person’s eyes? Meeting each other halfway? Is it constant? Is it ordinary? Grand? Or is it simply a work in progress?

SONG OF THE DAY

Kim Dong-ryul – “Like a Child” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 16 (Final) (3,783 words)

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Post tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon

There’s a nice thread running through the episode of trading places and moving forward to a place of emotional understanding, which also gives us a really cute bit of Enrique-Dok-mi table-turning. The episode is almost worth it just for that adorableness alone. There are some things that bog it down, like the seemingly endless circle of arguing the same point without any movement, but ultimately we do take a step forward. Only one more episode to tie things up and give us our Happily Ever After!

SONG OF THE DAY

10cm – “Morning call” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 15 (3,115 words)

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Post tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon

It’s an episode full of hilarity and heartbreak, as our characters find themselves on a crash course with that unavoidable fork in the road. Do you chase your dreams or hold onto the one you love? Do you give up on your one-sided love or do you make a last stand? Do you stay or do you go?

SONG OF THE DAY

Kim Woo-joo – “사랑해” (I Love You) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 14 (3,115 words)

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Post tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon

We’ve spent this series hoping for Dok-mi’s healing and rooting her on toward reclaiming her interest in the world outside her room, so it’s downright rewarding to see her making such significant strides, even acting on her own now without the pushing from outside forces. We’re watching her grow into her own, and it’s a lovely progression—not just because she’s learning about herself, but also because she’s using that to in turn do a little pushing of her own, turning that encouragement right back when it’s somebody else who needs it more.

SONG OF THE DAY

Yoon Shi-yoon – “사귀고 싶어” (I want to date you) from the drama’s soundtrack.
[ Download ]

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Read the rest of Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 13 (3,697 words)

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Post tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon

It’s an episode of breakthroughs and baby steps for everyone, though none more than our heroine who takes some bold new leaps, fueled by the power of one cheerleader puppy who really does believe that love conquers all. But what’s great about this story is that love isn’t a magical cure-all for Dok-mi, but a boost of much-needed courage to start opening her door.

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Read the rest of Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 12 (3,497 words)

© girlfriday for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 277 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon

Time for the moment of truth, and it’s a good one. Sometimes it takes a figurative smack to the head to realize how you feel, and sometimes a literal one provides the kick-start. What’s even more gratifying than watching Dok-mi emerge from her shell, though, is the way she’s reaching out and reciprocating, lending a hand of support when once it was everyone else’s mission to get her to take theirs.

SONG OF THE DAY

Clazziquai – “여전히” (As ever) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 11 (3,190 words)

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Post tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon

Sparks of all kinds go off left and right in this episode—the romantic kind, the combative kind, and the kind that sting and burn. Our heroine is forced to face her demons, while the boys race to be her knight in shining armor… except they’re so busy fighting each other for the honor that they don’t even notice their Rapunzel is slipping out of reach.

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Read the rest of Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 10 (3,072 words)

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Post tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon

Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but it also brings a lot of heartache—and nobody’s even left yet. That’s the theme in today’s episode, where the tide starts to shift and roles move around a little: Enrique eases up on the pushing and Dok-mi gets some breathing room to process that. In the end, it turns out we all just want to be wanted.

SONG OF THE DAY

Roy Kim, Jung Joon-young – “먼지가 되어” (Become dust), which was used in this episode. [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 9 (3,110 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 231 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon

When I step back from this drama after it’s done, I feel like I’m going to be amazed at how much the characters grew, and how their trajectories were in character, complete, and most of all natural. Episode to episode the growth is there, but subtle—characters remain true to their stubborn natures, but we see little shifts as they form bonds and learn from each other. And this episode in particular marks a nice step forward in the communication department—even for Enrique. Or perhaps I should say especially for him, since he has the habit of talking so much and saying little. It’s rewarding to see that balance shift a bit in the other direction.

SONG OF THE DAY

Raspberry Field – “Can You” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Flower Boy Next Door: Episode 8 (3,534 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2013. | Permalink | 244 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: featured, Flower Boy Next Door, Kim Ji-hoon, Park Shin-hye, Yoon Shi-yoon