And now to conclude the Big 3 Broadcaster awards with SBS, featuring some of the most popular dramas of the year. Tree With Deep Roots was the big winner of the night, winning six trophies in total, including the Daesang for Han Seok-kyu, and the Top Excellence Award for Best Drama. There were no big upsets in any category, because they kind of have a category for everyone, but that’s the name of the game. I’m just happy for Han Seok-kyu’s big win, and the fact that he didn’t have to share the glory with any split-award hullabaloo.

Protect the Boss cleaned up as well, winning Best Couple and acting awards for the stars, as well as an additional netizen popularity award for Choi Kang-hee. As expected, Thousand Day Promise had a strong showing in the acting categories, as did fellow melodrama Scent of a Woman. It certainly was the year for tearjerkers. The winners…

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Read the rest of 2011 SBS Drama Awards (1,653 words)

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Post tags: awards, Choi Kang-hee, Eom Ki-joon, Gu Hara, Han Seok-kyu, Im Soo-hyang, Jaejoong, Jang Hyuk, Jeon Gwang-ryul, Ji Chang-wook, Ji Sung, Jung Kyeo-woon, Jung Yumi (2), Kim Rae-won, Kim Sun-ah, Lee Dong-wook, Lee Mi-sook, Lee Min-ho, Lee So-yeon, Lee Yo-won, Seo Hyo-rim, Shin Hyun-bin, Shin Se-kyung, Song Joong-ki, Su Ae, Wang Ji-hye, Yoon So-yi

Blarg$@*&#()$%_)^#*%.

I’m pretty sure this finale broke me. I mean, I knew going in what kind of show it was, but there’s a difference between having the detached knowledge that you’ll cry and actually sobbing out a river of tears.

The show bowed out at a series high (19.8%) after flagging a bit in recent weeks — most likely because people were eager to find out the answer to the big question: Did she die? Would a miracle save the day? Sad ending, or happy?

SONG OF THE DAY

Shin Seung-hoon – “처음 하는 말처럼” (Like Saying it for the First Time) from the drama’s soundtrack. [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Thousand Day Promise: Episode 20 (Final) (3,228 words)

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Post tags: featured, Jung Yumi (2), Kim Rae-won, Lee Sang-woo, Park Yoo-hwan, Su Ae, Thousand Day Promise

What do you mean you didn’t want your heart broken into a million pieces? There’s no backing out now, not this close to the end. As we prepare for the finale, the worst of it hits like a ton of bricks, with no mercy for Seo-yeon or for the people who love her. We’ve been dancing around it for most of the drama, but the breakdown finally happens, and boy is it heart-wrenching, as promised.

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Read the rest of Thousand Day Promise: Episode 19 (3,087 words)

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Post tags: featured, Jung Yumi (2), Kim Rae-won, Lee Sang-woo, Park Yoo-hwan, Su Ae, Thousand Day Promise

There are several celebrations in this episode, and yet they feel like mournful last goodbyes as Seo-yeon comes a few steps closer to motherhood, and also retreats a few steps further into her mind. There’s an approaching feeling of finality to come, in the mood and the interactions between Seo-yeon and her family. *whimper* Hold me.

SONG OF THE DAY

IU – “벽지무늬” (Wallpaper pattern) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Thousand Day Promise: Episode 18 (3,197 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2011. | Permalink | 74 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: featured, Jung Yumi (2), Kim Rae-won, Lee Sang-woo, Park Yoo-hwan, Su Ae, Thousand Day Promise

Just when you think you’re all out of tears… Today’s episode is all about motherhood – the mother that Seo-yeon is to her brother, the mother who abandoned them, the mother who stepped in to take care of them, and the mother that she wants to be.

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Read the rest of Thousand Day Promise: Episode 17 (3,175 words)

© girlfriday for Dramabeans, 2011. | Permalink | 37 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: featured, Jung Yumi (2), Kim Rae-won, Lee Sang-woo, Park Yoo-hwan, Su Ae, Thousand Day Promise

Oof. Hold on to your hats, folks, this one’s a doozy. But a good kind of doozy, especially for a show where not a lot changes from episode to episode, since we’re focusing more on the little changes from day to day and the characters’ reactions to the illness, which is taking up a larger and larger place in their lives despite their efforts to live around it.

With two weeks left to go, finally the truth is out and free, and without that last bit to hide behind, Seo-yeon finds herself just a little more exposed and defenseless. But what’s beautiful is in how this reveals how very much she is loved.

SONG OF THE DAY

Dear Cloud – “기억에 흩어지다 (Marcescent)” (Scattered in my memory) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Thousand Day Promise: Episode 16 (2,943 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2011. | Permalink | 47 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: featured, Jung Yumi (2), Kim Rae-won, Lee Sang-woo, Park Yoo-hwan, Su Ae, Thousand Day Promise

A mostly contemplative episode, as the dust settles in each household. A cameo from another member of the Kim Soo-hyun family brings Song Chang-eui by, and it looks like he’ll stick around for a little while, which is awesome considering he’s pretty much the funniest thing about this episode. I can’t say anything good about the condition of his hair, but he’s delightful as the much-needed comic relief ’round these parts.

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Read the rest of Thousand Day Promise: Episode 15 (3,385 words)

© girlfriday for Dramabeans, 2011. | Permalink | 57 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: featured, Jung Yumi (2), Kim Rae-won, Lee Sang-woo, Park Yoo-hwan, Su Ae, Thousand Day Promise

Just when you think this couple has finally achieved a measure of peace and reconciliation, new developments arise and rock their world, just a little further. As if they could take any more of the shaking. And with the news come additional conflicts to challenge this couple. As soon as they’ve gotten on the same page, there they are on opposite sides again.

SONG OF THE DAY

Top Cloud – “지워야 산다” (I have to forget to live) [ Download ]

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Read the rest of Thousand Day Promise: Episode 14 (3,648 words)

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Post tags: featured, Jung Yumi (2), Kim Rae-won, Lee Sang-woo, Park Yoo-hwan, Su Ae, Thousand Day Promise

It’s time for the wedding, as happy days thankfully continue. I’ve begun to feel like Seo-yeon when it comes to this drama – I count each happy episode and cheery moment as a blessing, and I’m thankful for the time I have, because I know the sadness that’s to come. But for as long as we can stretch this time, I want to enjoy every second of it.

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Read the rest of Thousand Day Promise: Episode 13 (3,819 words)

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Post tags: featured, Jung Yumi (2), Kim Rae-won, Lee Sang-woo, Park Yoo-hwan, Su Ae, Thousand Day Promise

Awards, awards, awards! Friday, November 25, was the night of the 2011 Blue Dragon Film Awards, and — no surprise — the winners list was dominated by one of the biggest films of the year, sageuk-action-thriller Bow: The Ultimate Weapon. The film is a David and Goliath story of one man (Park Hae-il) taking down the enemy with his exceptional prowess with the bow and won awards for most of its leading stars.

A few other films also nabbed multiple awards, with best picture going to the thriller Bad Deal. (which also won for director and screenplay).

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Read the rest of 2011 Blue Dragon Film Awards (1,639 words)

© javabeans for Dramabeans, 2011. | Permalink | 65 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: awards, Byun Jung-soo, Go Soo, Gong Yoo, Han Chae-young, Jo Sung-ha, Jung Ryeo-won, Kim Haneul, Kim Hye-soo, Kim Soo-hyun, Lee Je-hoon, Lee Jung-jin, Lee Min-ho, Lee Min-jung, Lee Shi-young, Moon Chae-won, Nam Gyuri, Park Bo-young, Park Hae-il, Ryu Hyun-kyung, Ryu Seung-ryong, Su Ae, Yoo Sun, Yoon Kye-sang