How can you not love this couple? Okay, they’re not perfect — but they do have really cute chemistry. Maybe it’s my particular love of guys with goofy senses of humor, but Jae Bin is such a great combination of immature and mature, silliness and gravity, confidence and insecurity. I’m sure he’d be annoying in real life, if I were the object of his attentions — although that right there might just make up for it — because his methods of courtship are still very much stuck in fifth grade. But that’s part of the charm, since he’s such an overconfident, charming movie star when we first meet him.

SONG OF THE DAY

Deb – “ScarS into StarS” [ Download ]

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LAST SCANDAL OF MY LIFE Episode 9 >>

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Subtitles for Episodes 1 and 2 are now out, so check ‘em out!

I think the reason Jae Bin is so endearing is that while he’s generally spoiled and immature, he’s actually capable of compassion and has flashes of maturity. He pushes Sun Hee’s buttons with his joking and pestering, but it’s like he’s so aware of her emotions that he knows when to back off and when he’s okay to nag her. But because he’s human, once in a while he mis-gauges and pokes her a little too hard before he realizes he’s done it.

Immature people = irritating. Mature people who can act immature as the occasion calls for it = endearing.

SONG OF THE DAY

Lee Eun Mi – “애인…있어요” which is used frequently as background music. This song is actually a repost from Goong S days and the title translates to “I have a lover.” [ Download ]

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THE LAST SCANDAL OF MY LIFE Episode 8 >>

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What can I say except for what I’ve already said? Last Scandal of My Life is fresh, funny, and super-addicting. I know the series ended today, and I hope to be all caught up soon. But I’m not (too) impatient to get to the end — how can I be, when all the episodes in between are such great fun?

SONG OF THE DAY

“Jealousy,” the theme song from 1992 drama Jealousy (질투 / Jiltu). This might seem like a random song to post, but Jealousy was a hugely popular drama and one of Choi Jin Shil’s early roles, and is the basis for one fleeting — but pretty awesome — joke in this episode of Last Scandal. [ Download ]

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Here’s the song as remade by Fin.K.L. a decade later. [ Download ]

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THE LAST SCANDAL OF MY LIFE Episode 7 >>

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First, WITH S2 will be subtitling this (as a side project, so please be patient!), so I hope you’ll give them your thanks — it’s a terrific show and well worth the attention.

Second, since I’m behind on the series, I’ll ask once more just as a reminder to PLEASE DON’T SPOIL the later episodes! Thanks.

This series is one of the most enjoyable I’ve seen recently, and one that I don’t have to qualify with footnotes (as in, “This takes seven and a half episodes of wasted time before it gets good” or “Be patient, it’ll get better”).

SONG OF THE DAY

Kim Min Jong – “그대와 영원히” (With You Forever), the song sung by Jae Bin in episode 6. This song, originally by Yoo Jae Ha and something of a classic love song, has been covered a lot, but I like this version by actor-singer Kim Min Jong (Hyena, Feelings) from his 1996 third album. There are versions by Leeds and Kim Bum Soo too, but I think the simplicity of the song works better without their excess vocal frills. [ Download ]

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THE LAST SCANDAL OF MY LIFE Episodes 5 & 6 >>

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The Last Scandal of My Life is SUPER FUN. It’s too bad I came upon this delightful series so late (it’s aired 14 episodes of its 16), but on the bright side, I have lots of episodes to catch up on without having to wait.

Since I haven’t caught up yet, please do me the favor and DON’T SPOIL ME! That’s all I ask.

I have my own drama biases to blame for initially passing over Last Scandal, and that’s because it seemed such a typical ajumma drama. I’m not ragging on ajummas — I know lots of them, I love them, I hope to transition into one gracefully — but the ajumma drama as a genre is not my favorite. I think the poster reminded me of standard adultery fare like My Man’s Woman.

But Last Scandal isn’t at all overwrought or melodramatic. It’s hilarious. It’s like Full House with better acting and more complex character relationships, with a liberal dash of Dal Ja’s Spring mixed in. And I’ve always liked Choi Jin Shil, although I’ve only seen her in three projects (original trendy drama Jealousy, original Cinderella drama Star in My Heart, and romantic weepie movie The Letter) — but she’s as adorable at almost-40 as she was at 20.

SONG OF THE DAY

The Last Scandal of My Life OST – “사랑이 올까요” (Will love come?) [ Download ]

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More on THE LAST SCANDAL OF MY LIFE Episodes 1-4 >>

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