Finally, we reach the end of what I feel confident declaring one of the best shows I’ve seen in recent memory. I’ve seen a lot of dramas in the past year, and although there have been a lot of disappointments, just having one this good come along every year makes it worth it. (Last year I had two such dramas: Story of a Man and Return of Iljimae.)

The ending didn’t wrap everything up in a neat bow, and I suspect some may not be happy with the open-endedness. I’ll join you in having wished for a few more answers, but ultimately I’m too impressed with this drama to be upset. I do have some lingering questions, but they’re questions that really can’t be given concrete answers anyway. What this drama did do was raise them in an intriguing, thought-provoking way with wit and style, which is pretty remarkable in and of itself.

SONG OF THE DAY

Yellow Monsters – “아무것도 아닌것을” (It’s not anything) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Joseon X-Files: Episode 12 (Final) (4,223 words)

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Post tags: featured, Im Jung-eun, Jo Hee-bong, Joseon X-Files, Kim Gab-soo, Kim Ji-hoon

Episodes 11 and 12 are really two parts of one story (as were Episodes 7 and 8 ) and aired on the same night, so I considered writing them up together. But I think there’s enough to talk about in this one alone, although I plan to have 12 up shortly so we can get to the ending soon enough.

SONG OF THE DAY

Ash – “Tattoo” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Joseon X-Files: Episode 11 (3,049 words)

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Post tags: featured, Im Jung-eun, Jo Hee-bong, Joseon X-Files, Kim Gab-soo, Kim Ji-hoon

I liked this episode a lot. I appreciate that the writers have taken the care to alternate lighter, funnier episodes with the darker, creepier, and/or more intense ones.

The plot in this one is of a stand-alone nature, but since it involves all three members of our Team X-Files, I’m happy. Plus, even though the entire drama has been a feast for the eyes, this episode in particular, with its beachside locale, was stunning to look at.

SONG OF THE DAY

Bye Bye Sea – “눈물바다” (Sea of Tears) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Joseon X-Files: Episode 10 (3,607 words)

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Post tags: featured, Im Jung-eun, Jo Hee-bong, Joseon X-Files, Kim Ji-hoon

This episode starts out seeming more disconnected from the others, making me think at first that it was a filler-type episode — but trust this drama to find a way to tie it to the secrets of the bigger picture as well. I’ll never doubt you again, Joseon X-Files!

This was also a pretty funny episode, despite the subject matter. It reminded me of Episode 4 in that respect, finding ways to sneak in dry bits of humor in between the tension-building and mystery of the case. Kim Ji-hoon really is great doing grouchy humor.

(I did, however, miss not having Yoon-yi and Jang Man around this time.)

SONG OF THE DAY

Lucite Tokki – “B.I.S.H.” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Joseon X-Files: Episode 9 (3,111 words)

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Post tags: featured, Joseon X-Files, Kim Ji-hoon

Finally, we get a deeper look into the mysterious motives of Yoon-yi — or at least one of them. And tied into that is a nice way of expressing the romantic angle through the plot without actually focusing heavily on romance.

Episode 7 and 8 are really two halves of a whole story (with story seeds being planted even before), so a lot of things are explained here that were left mysteriously vague in the previous episode. It’s impressive that even with that being the case, Episode 7 could stand on its own. (Granted, it left some head-scratchers, but those left me intrigued for future clarification, rather than frustrated.)

I suppose if I’d watched Episode 8 before recapping Episode 7, a few more things would have made sense. But on the other hand, where’s the fun in recapping one episode if I already know what happens next, right?

SONG OF THE DAY

No Reply – “No Dreamer” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Joseon X-Files: Episode 8 (3,870 words)

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Post tags: featured, Im Jung-eun, Jo Hee-bong, Joseon X-Files, Kim Ji-hoon

Oh man, this episode is brilliant. The more I think on it, the more brilliant it becomes. If we gave this the U.S. television treatment, this would be the episode winning a bunch of Emmys.

I understand if it was confusing for viewers, though, because it’s not an episode whose message is clearly spelled out at the end — there’s room for interpretation and although I’m fairly confident in mine, I’m sure there are other ways to read it. Plus, not only does this episode play with the concept of time, parts of it are told out of chronological order. Hopefully the recap is helpful rather than confusing.

SONG OF THE DAY

Misty Blue – “망각 (Obliviate)” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Joseon X-Files: Episode 7 (4,290 words)

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Post tags: featured, Im Jung-eun, Jo Hee-bong, Joseon X-Files, Kim Ji-hoon

This episode was a little (okay, a lot) scarier for me to watch, because ghosts and supernatural stuff always gets to me a lot more than, say, aliens or monsters or mutations. That said, don’t let my wimpiness scare you off, since everyone’s got a different set of standards for what constitutes fear-inducing. I just happen to be a wuss when it comes to ghosts.

SONG OF THE DAY

10cm – “Healing” [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Joseon X-Files: Episode 6 (3,048 words)

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Post tags: featured, Im Jung-eun, Jo Hee-bong, Joseon X-Files, Kim Ji-hoon

Dare I say it? Okay, I’ll call it: Best drama of the year, folks.

Given that statement, I feel doubly guilty for letting Joseon X-Files fall behind — apologies for the delay, but in case you hadn’t noticed, there are a lot of dramas airing at the moment! Trust the year to backload everything so that it becomes painful to choose which ones get attention first.

The reason I’ve been slower with this drama isn’t because I like it less, but because it’s so good — I like to pay attention and grasp every detail.

SONG OF THE DAY

Thornapple – “빨간 피터” (Red Peter) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Joseon X-Files: Episode 5 (3,301 words)

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Post tags: featured, Im Jung-eun, Jo Hee-bong, Joseon X-Files, Kim Ji-hoon

Kim Ji-hoon (29) is off for the next two years to serve his country, and said his goodbyes to the press and public on October 4 at the Nonsan training facility. He will train there for five weeks, then begin 22 months of active duty.

Kim was recently the subject of a romantic “scandal” (which just means dating rumors; there’s no negative connotation to it) with his Joseon X-Files co-star, Im Jung-eun. While they’ve been a little coy about it, he did say on the 4th that he asked her particularly to come visit while he’s enlisted — but made sure to clarify with a laugh, “Since it’s not true, there’s no reason for us to avoid each other. Still, since it might cause misunderstandings, I told her to come with other friends.”

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Read the rest of It’s enlistment day for Kim Ji-hoon (133 words)

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Post tags: army duty, Kim Ji-hoon

Army enlistment is just a few days away for Kim Ji-hoon (sadness!), who has released this last photo spread, which comes from the October issue of Hello TV magazine.

Kim recently wrapped filming on his latest drama, the sci-fi historical cable series Joseon X-Files, on September 28. Prior to that he took on a comedic theater role in University of Laughs.

He plans to hold his last fanmeeting in Seoul on October 3, and enlists the next day.

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Read the rest of Kim Ji-hoon’s last photo shoot (35 words)

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Post tags: Kim Ji-hoon, photo shoots