I admit the first thing that struck me about Kim Hye Sung was his adorable baby face. But although he’s part of the newest generation of good-looking, trendy young stars, he seems to be slowly differentiating himself from his peers and taking some personal care (and risks) into his acting choices. He’s one I’ve got my eye on for the future.
 

“Kim Hye Sung’s transformation from pretty boy to hot-tempered youth to gay lover”

By the time 2003’s hot uljjang trend had blown over, some new stars had appeared on the scene: uljjangs. [What’s an uljjang?] The first-generation ulljangs included Park Han Byul, Gu Hye Sun, Nam Sang Mi. Second-generation ulljangs: Kim Ok Bin, Bae Seul Gi, Lee Yeon Hee. And also Kim Hye Sung and Kang Eun Bi.

They rose to fame not via television or movies, but through the internet, causing a shake-up of the currently existing star-making system. Uljjang stars weren’t discovered through television station tests, new-actor auditions, talent agencies, or streetside castings; they were made into stars by audiences and consumers themselves.

Five years later. …

SONG OF THE DAY

Deb - “Dopamine” [ Download ]

 
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Tags: homosexuality, Kim Hye-sung, netizens, uljjang, Unstoppable High Kick

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Oh holy frijoles this was a good episode.

I’ve been careful (I think) to indicate that I’ve been enjoying Coffee Prince, but held off on a verdict… Given a history of disappointments, I kept expectations low in starting this series; I just hoped it would be light fun. As of today’s episode, I can say with certainty that I love Coffee Prince. I was so curious to see how they’d handle the pseudo-homosexuality angle, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised.

The story works whether you see Eun Chan as a girl, of course, but also if, like me, you find yourselves occasionally forgetting and thinking she really is a male, or at least some kind of new hybrid gender. I’m telling ya, the actors are selling it, particularly Mr. Gong Yoo (Yoon Eun Hye is doing wonderfully as well, but I’m speaking specifically to the struggle with sexuality-questioning here). I actually believe Han Gyul as someone struggling with feelings of homosexuality, rather than merely thinking, “But she’s a girl so this is all moot.” It’s NOT moot — because the way they’re exploring his struggle is really rewarding for me.

(Background) SONG OF THE DAY

Arco - “Alien.” One of a few songs used in today’s episode.

COFFEE PRINCE Tenth Cup >>

Tags: Chae Jung-ahn, Coffee Prince, episode recaps, Gong Yoo, homosexuality, Lee Seon-kyun, stuff I dig, Yoon Eun-hye

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First things first. As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed the episode, and continue to enjoy the way they are progressing the relationship between Han Gyul and Eun Chan. But let me get this bit of criticism out of the way, and that is that this episode didn’t flow perfectly.

There were a few awkward transitions, which felt choppy at first. Disjointed. I think they were busy trying to squeeze in some new plot points to set us up for more stories — like exploring more about Han Gyul’s birth, for instance — and because elements felt shoehorned in, it disrupted the otherwise nice developments of the episode. Thankfully, that bit of awkwardness mostly occupied the first half (minus the very beginning, which was entirely too cute); the latter half was lovely.

 
(Background) SONG OF THE DAY

Arco - “Perfect World.” This song plays in one of the early scenes between Yu Ju and Han Sung.

COFFEE PRINCE Ninth Cup >>

Tags: Chae Jung-ahn, Coffee Prince, episode recaps, Gong Yoo, homosexuality, Lee Seon-kyun, Yoon Eun-hye

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Okay okay, so I’m totally behind on Air City (and Bad Couple, and soon to be Flowers For My Life…) but my With S2 girls convinced me I should recap what I want and not worry about doing everything in order. And so, I decided, Air City will have to wait. I promise I’ll get to it.

Like I said, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be following COFFEE PRINCE (and I’m wary of jumping into things purely based on hype), but come on, with a name like that, how could I not be watching? It ain’t javabeans for nuthin’.

Today’s first episode (cutely labeled “First Cup” instead of the standard, bland “Episode 1″) was cute and entertaining enough — if just for the sheer curiosity of watching one of Korea’s prettiest faces acting like a boy — to merit “breezy summer watch” status. Like a beach novel for drama addicts.

 
SONG(s) OF THE DAY

Marlene Dietrich - “You’re the Cream in My Coffee” [ zShare download ]

Ella Fitzgerald - “Black Coffee” [ zShare download ]

And Blur - “Coffee and TV” for something a little more modern [ zShare download ]

COFFEE PRINCE Episode 1 >>

Tags: Chae Jung-ahn, Coffee Prince, episode recaps, Gong Yoo, homosexuality, Lee Seon-kyun, Lee Yoon-jung, Yoon Eun-hye

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