[In addition to Dahee's recaps, reader heejae volunteered to share her initial thoughts on the drama Painter of the Wind, and I figure the more (opinions) the merrier. For another perspective and some more detailed thoughts on the drama, please take a look at what heejae has to say. Thanks! -javabeans]

This series got off to a great start. Subtleties are a big part of this series, and so is showing-not-telling; the audience is left to infer about many things often. I may talk about it in this re-cap as though it were the next coming of television or whatnot, but I don’t intend to make those kinds of statements ^^;

In this commentary I will:

• Give commentaries/insights about this episode.
• List pro’s and con’s for anyone who might be iffy as to whether or not they’re up to watching this series.
• …as well as opinions/possible gushing *laughs*

 
SONG OF THE DAY

Lee Jung - “그댈위한 사랑” (A love for you) [ Download ]

[Read more →]

Tags: guest bloggers, Moon Geun-young, Park Jin-woo, Park Shin-yang, The Painter of Wind

Filed under: Drama Reactions & Reviews by heejae - 21 Comments →

[When I asked for potential recappers of The Painter of Wind (or Painter of the Wind), I was lucky enough to get Dahee Fanel onboard for recaps, so I hope you'll all enjoy her write-ups! Another reader, heejae, will also be weighing in on her very insightful thoughts of the first episode in another post. Thanks Dahee and heejae! -javabeans]

I admit that I wasn’t really expecting much from Painter of the Wind, mostly because I’m not exactly a fan of either the PD or Park Shin Yang. But it turned out to be a lovely, enchanting surprise, and I am happier than I can say. Ahhh, sageuk. You make the cockles of my heart go all warm and gooey.

Especially when it’s a sageuk that plays around with the notion of gender! Oh, the possibilities…

SONG OF THE DAY

The Painter of Wind OST - “바람의 노래” (Song of the wind) by Jo Sung-mo [ Download ]

PAINTER OF THE WIND Episode 1 >>

Tags: episode recaps, Moon Geun-young, Park Jin-woo, Park Shin-yang, The Painter of Wind

Filed under: Drama Recaps by Dahee_Fanel - 41 Comments →

Remember the cute baseball-playing kid who played Moon Geun-young’s age-appropriate boyfriend (before she hooks up with Kim Rae-won) in the cute 2004 romantic comedy My Little Bride? Well, the two are pairing up again, because Park Jin-woo has just been cast in SBS’s upcoming high-profile sageuk drama The Painter of Wind.

The main loveline looks to be between Moon and Park Shin-yang — although I’m sure everyone’s wondering how that odd pairing is going to result in any sort of romantic chemistry (honestly, he could play her father). But Park Jin-woo is sure to add some conflict; he plays a royal painter in training, son of a powerful man who pushes himself to succeed on his own merits. He has a rivalry with Moon’s character, allowing jealousy to come between them (described as the Salieri to Moon’s Mozart).

While I don’t think Park Jin-woo has really proven himself yet, I think he has potential, and I’ve always enjoyed watching him. No, being a part of the Nonstop sitcom series is hardly a validation of acting prowess, but these days, what pretty boy or girl hasn’t had a stint on it? (After all, former Nonstop alums include Gu Hye-sun, Han Ye-seul, Hyun Bin, Jang Nara, and Jo In-sung.) He’s also got some pretty decent comic timing (see: Bad Family), although I’m guessing he probably won’t be needing it with Painter, which premieres in September.

Via Newsen

SONG OF THE DAY

Maya - “Story in Your Eyes” [ Download ]

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• Another young actress’ gender bent
• From party girl to bottom of the Confucian ladder
• Moon Geun-young returns to dramas; the sageuk revival continues
• Korean dramas and family relations

Tags: Moon Geun-young, Nonstop 5, Park Jin-woo, Park Shin-yang, sageuk dramas, The Painter of Wind

Filed under: Drama Casting & News by javabeans - 17 Comments →

First, a disclaimer: This movie is probably going to suck.

But, I’m just glad to see Park Jin-woo acting in something again. Not that he’s been completely out of work — he apparently had a role in the sageuk drama Bichunmu, although that series was actually shot four years ago.

But I really liked him in the funny and heartwarming comedy Bad Family (Arrested Development, kdrama-style, sorta), the teen sex romp Dasepo Naughty Girls (even though the movie was kinda meh), and 2004’s My Little Bride as Moon Geun Young’s age-appropriate boyfriend. Oh, and can’t forget him in Nonstop 5. His projects haven’t exactly been artistically challenging, but I’ve always thought he was better than his roles. His comic sense is pretty decent for a guy who could coast by as a mere heartthrob if he wanted; he’s got a willingness to make a fool of himself that I dig (Bad Family). (Although, I’d like to see him take the Kim Hye Sung route and really push himself).

This time he’s starring in a romantic-comedy movie with Park Jung-ah of sexed-up kpop girl group Jewelry, Nal-na-ri jong-bu-jeon [날나리 종부전] (I don’t know a good translation for the title, but it basically means a party girl becoming devoted housewife).

The story involves a materialistic wild child (Park Jung-ah) who’s never met a man whose head she couldn’t turn with her flirty good looks. Then she meets one whose indifference stings her pride (Park Jin-woo) and before you know it, they’re married. One problem: He’s the only son from a rigidly traditional family. Hijinks ensue. (Sounds kind of like Vineyard Man and Bad Couple given the farce treatment.)

The movie had its press conference on May 14 in Seoul and releases on May 22.

SONG OF THE DAY

Jewelry - “One More Time.” I almost feel the need to apologize for posting this overplayed song… but it’s a Park Jung-ah movie and the song’s used in the trailer so… [ Download ]

Tags: Jewelry, Park Jin-woo

Filed under: Chungmuro/Film by javabeans - 21 Comments →