@ belleza
That sucks. Kim Chang Wan's band was playing, too? I still haven't had a chance to watch them on Neverending Story. Is the Korean Music Festival and annual event? If I weren't headed down there in two weeks, I would've tried to go.

@ nycgrl
Colin Firth after a swim? yummy.... Matthew Macfadyen at dawn? delicious..... but my vote still goes to Richard Armitage watching Margaret ride off in the snow, desperately wishing her to look back. *melts*

Off to watch what Joss has in store for the season finale of Dollhouse...

*hugs* Belleza

Happy Mom's day!

gah, y brought up P&P? I need to dig that out to rewatch... (nycgirl, I do that yearly ritual too....it was esp trying for my gfs when I keep replaying it at our get togs for a wedding prep....)

yes, it's the tights...and CF in a wet shirt @Pemberley *looking innocently violated when Lizzy cant take her eyes off him.. ;) I'm not really a fan of the 05 movie though, that Darcy is not attractive to me.

Hugs Belleza.

@203 djes
Yeah, I'll give it a try. When I'm done with a couple *coughs* of dramas I've started.

@198 nycgrl Re: P&P
Whee, so many fans! I love that book too. I think Mr Darcy was my first literary crush *headdesk* My fave adaptation is the BBC miniseries with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. :)

"And yeah I love guys who struggle with their love.Nothing easily won is cherished. Isn’t that one of the reasons why we watch kdramas? Because it hurts so good?"

That is definately one of the reasons why I watch kdramas!

@every P&P fan out there
Have you guys watched Lost in Austen? Regardless of the plot that may make some fans shudder and run away screaming, I think Elliot Cowan was a nice Mr Darcy. He's no Colin Firth, but I surprisingly didn't hate him. Which kind of happens often to me with non-Firth Mr Darcies.

@199, Belleza,

"Due to some bad luck and some really bad advice, I ended up missing the Korean Music Festival tonight."

I don't get how bad luck and bad advice made you miss an event like that... :(

Hope you feel better tho.

Sorry for shouting, and I don't know if this has been covered already in the posts above (I skimmed but didn't see it, but then I am not sure if I really skimmed or glossed over):

BUT IS ANYONE WATCHING ATASCHINCHI NO DANSHI??? IF YES, DISCUSS! IF NOT, DOES ANYONE WANT TO WATCH IT "WITH ME" (for the next open thread discussion)?

@196 Cubit: I don't recommend Atashinchi no Danshi for you because it is pretty didactic -- pretty overtly so -- but it is a lot of fun and it has a two pretty serious specimens of eye candy.

Brief summary: It's about a homeless girl who becomes a "mother" to six wealthy men. It is a pretty biting commentary on the breakdown of family, the vanishing role of the parents, and increasing isolation of the individual, etc.

Yeah, it sounds like a downer, but it is actually a super fun show, very silly and very cute (think Mei-Chan's Butler with a brain and a heart). It is manga-ish in the way the episodes unfold, so don't expect it to make sense, which adds to its charm. Not persuaded? Well, at least two of the sons are super hot.

It's currently airing. Try to watch non-stream or HQ stream because the sets are really colorful and pretty (unlike, what seems to me, the usual rather drab and dark sets of many J-dramas).

--
@Belleza,
Sorry to hear about your mix up :-( .

@206 Nom Kitteh Re Atashinchi no Danshi
It's on my list. I actually even got the first ep, but I was waiting a bit to start it. I kind of suck at waiting a whole week (or several weeks) for the next ep. But if you really don't find anybody, lemme know. I'll watch it with you! I need a silly super-fun drama now, come to think of it.

@Sere!

Yes! You are now my Atashinchi no Danshi watching buddy! If you are in need of a silly, fun romp, this drama is it! I completely understand if you don't like waiting a week for an episode. I feel the same way and was going to wait but I have been looking for a light comedy fix since BOF and tried this one and got sucked in.

There are four episodes out now, I think (I watched three), and the subs seem to come out super fast and there are good HQ streaming versions up. If you want to wait a few more weeks, that's cool too. I will just wait to chat with you then. Your call. Hopefully this won't turn sad like Absolute Boyfriend and so far there is no indication of it.

Are you watching Slingshot? It's been good so far but I have a feeling that they will go a more conventional route and make the bad guy just a bad guy and everyone will gang up on and sideline him, in which case I might bail on it then.

Don't forget MR. BRAIN! You have to watch it! http://www.tokyograph.com/news/id-4591

@thisiswhyimbehindonmymaster'sthesis,
I really like your points about Slingshot and how the story is about varying degrees of truth. Congrats on completing your thesis!

@Samsooki,

"I don’t get how bad luck and bad advice made you miss an event like that… "

The bad luck was that a lot of stuff went on in the morning, and so I had to leave the house later than I wanted to. The bad advice was in taking some driving directions and then ending up somewhere where I didn't want to. Ending up mad all night. Now I'm just sad because the upcoming week is going to be hectic and I really wanted to take my mind off it.

@hjkomo,

"Is the Korean Music Festival and annual event?"

Yup, it's annual, and it's a lot of fun. It has something for both young (i.e. SM/YG audiences) and older audiences (a few bands, some trot, etc.) Apparently, KMF effectively turned into a Kim Chang Wan gig as his band played 6 songs and practically monopolized the show. I know the Soompis weren't happy about that, but Coffee Ajushhi is a rock legend yo. ;) It's also a lot of fun for out-of-towners, because they often stay at the same hotel as the acts, and can actually meet their idols. Even if you're not really a fan of the music, KMF is really about the happy vibe.

@all,

Happy Mommy's Day everybody. Here's a favorite song for the occasion, esp. if you're still in school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK0GgLKUU_I&fmt=18

@ djes
I also enjoy dark dramas, and I don't mind sad endings. It's just that WHIB's ending was too abrupt for me...hence, the WTF? reaction. In a similar vein (though not that similar, really), I wasn't thrilled about Damo's ending, either. After such a beautifully written, directed, and acted story, I wasn't satisfied with the ending - not the turn of events per se (I was fine with that), but rather, the execution of it. That DVD's a keeper, though.

Hong Gil Dong's ending, on the other hand....I thought was beautiful AND well-executed.

Also, Happy Mother's Day!
I hope the men remembered to do something nice for their mothers (yeah, I'm looking at you, Samsooki and kb ;) ).

@208 Nom Kitteh

LOL Deal! I'll try to watch as many eps as I can. *g*

No, I haven't started A man's story yet. I will though. I need silly romcoms now. I'll be watching the ending of Flowers for my life soon and I'm pretty sure I'll be devasted after taht. So silly romcom are in order to recover. ;)

I won't forget Mr Brain and the other zillion dramas I want to watch. That's why I keep updating my list which has turned into a ginormous thing. *facepalm*

@209, hjkomo -

"I hope the men remembered to do something nice for their mothers (yeah, I’m looking at you, Samsooki and kb."

Well, grandma, mother and mother-in-law all got phone calls, cards and gifts of the monetary persuasion. :) Thanks for checking up on me though.

I know I promised all y'all a treatment and/or Act I for my Binnie In Space Revenge Drama, but it is Sunday afternoon, and I've not started yet. So, it looks like it will have to wait until at least next weekend. My apologies!

@189 mookie
How have you been? Haven't seen you much lately... (i don't go to Hyun Bin's thread and you don't go to Kim Sun Ah's thread either - that's why. lol )
About Kim Sun Ah's acting cute in City Hall, I believe otherwise. I think that Kim Sun Ah is one of the few actresses who can get away with Mi-Rae's role (acting all cute with this princess syndrome and being funny and all). I think her strength is and will always be comedy. And I don't see her trying hard acting to be cute. Had it been other actresses (who can't act well) I don't think I can even stand watching them.
But, yeah, I am a fan of hers and you are not. That explains our different views. ^^
Ciao~

@ Nom Kitteh

I AM ALL CAUGHT UP ON ATASHINCHI NO DANSHI. LOL. But quite honestly, that is my "crack" J-drama of this season. It's amusing to watch and all, but it really hasn't got all that much substance. LOL. And I feel like I'm watching it because I need to see Kaname Jun end up with the main girl character in SOMETHING before I die, because he never ever does.

So yeah, I am up for watching Atashinchi no Danshi with you. The previews for episode 5 seem to be indicating a nice indication of what I'm hoping LOL - I am such a hardcore Kaname Jun fan, even though he has only appeared for like 5 seconds in the last 3 episodes and in episode 4 he [surprisingly] was there for like a minute.

AHHHH. I want me some silly romcoms.

Oh guys, if you haven't watched Flowers for my life, do it, do it now! that's just amazing!

@214, Sere -

We're on Dal Ja Spring and thereafter we have Hong Gil Dong and the last 4 episodes of Snow Queen to finish.

My wife was really getting into Snow Queen, but she didn't want to watch the last few episodes because she had a feeling it would get sad. So, I think she is sort of making her own ending to Snow Queen in her head. I've already seen Snow Queen in its entirety, but I've not said a word about how it ends.

Dal Ja's Spring is pretty darn good, and the real star, without question and no possible argument - is Chae Rim. Why am I always underestimating Korean actresses? Before we started watching, I saw internet pics of Chae Rim as Oh Dal Ja, and even a fan-made MV of her on youtube, and I got this sort of negative impression - it was going to be this "oh, why am I still single" song on infinite repeat. And the first episode almost confirmed it for me, and I was going to be bored watching this drama. But, wow, I was so wrong. As for comedic timing and acting, I can't think of another Korean actress that comes close? Maybe it is because I've not seen so many, and maybe it is because we're watching Dal Ja Spring right now, but even so, Chae Rim is so talented! To quote Yoda, "unexpected, this is."

I could talk about Chae Rim for a long time, she rocks! Still, Dal Ja Spring is an acquired taste, I think, for guys. I still feel a little bit uncomfortable watching it sometimes due to its point of view being sort of entirely from the female vantage point...

Okay, Sere and A, we have a Open Thread date for next week!!! (Sere, no pressure -- just watch what you can and we promise to not "spoiler" it for you).

@A.: OMG, who is this Kaname Jun ( http://wiki.d-addicts.com/static/images/c/c9/Kaname.jpg ) and where has Japan been hiding him? He is gorgeous. Japanese PDs must be crazy because, like you said, he has shown up for like a minute in 3 episodes. What the hell, Japan, WTH? *head meet desk*

But for now, Mukai Osamu ( http://p2.p.pixnet.net/albums/userpics/2/7/798127/492c378c90c7e.jpg ) is keeping me happy.

I will try to catch 4 and 5 before next Friday, and we can chat!

Until later, and happy upcoming week!

hjkomo,

i'm one of those who doesn't really believe in these consumerist ordained holidays. my mother is the most important person in my life, and i let her know every opportunity i get.

it's funny how when i was living at home or close to home, i took her for granted. now that i'm living in another state, i've grown fonder for what she has done and what she still does for me.

i grew up in a relatively poor household, and my mother hasn't experienced some of life's luxuries others have. i do not have the financial means yet, but when i do, my mother knows in no uncertain terms that she will be very comfortable during her golden years.

@ Nom Kitteh

I KNOW. SERIOUSLY. I watched Himitsu no Hanazono with Kaname Jun and was so upset he didn't end up with the girl - in fact, the girl ended up with NOBODY. Yeah, yeah, okay, fine. And then he took on several like "comical" characters that I didn't really care about. BUT SERIOUSLY. Kaname Jun. Please get together with Maki and make me feel happy because otherwise, SERIOUSLY, what the heck??!

But yes, Mukai Osamu looks EXCEPTIONALLY good in this. He looked good in that Shida Mirai drama with Yamada Yuu, Seigi no Mikata... but this he looks EXCEPTIONALLY good. If Kaname Jun wasn't in this, I'd want Maki-chan with Mukai Osamu. Hah. [He looked horrible in his last get-up in the Mei-chan butler drama. And that was just bad. It was quite honestly an eye candy drama, but even staring at Mizushima Hiro is not good enough.]

Ahh. I'm sorry. I accidentally slipped into fangirl mode. LOL. But yes, we have a date at the next Open Thread for sure. Meanwhile, I was afraid to watch episode 4 of Smile in fear of like crying buckets of tears and freaking out for Matsu-Jun's character.

@Alodia, hihi. I knew we'll agree to disagree. But being a fan is not really my forte. I appreciate certain actors and actresses when I've seen them awesome in one role, I'll keep that in mind and I'll take notice in their future works, but by no means they r invincible...if they keep churning out amazing works, I'll keep appreciating them, I did try out CH out of my interest in Suna, the story does not interest me one bit (and still doesnt after ~3 eps)

I have probs with Suna's decidedly coerced high-pitched cutesy voice and gestures in many scenes in first couple eps of CH, and to me it does not come across as natural for a woman in her late 30s (I rem her character is 36?!) I'm not saying a 36 yo cant sound and act like that, but we've seen her Samsoon already. I can go on with the whole 'I think she still comes across as Samsoon' tangent (which I noticed too in a lesser extent in Night), which is heartbreaking for me to be honest. Coz I thought she is better than that, I've seen all her previous works also during my craze for everything mnikss, and I've seen her in diff roles which she can competently handle. So it's a mix of I knew she can give a diff take to her character in CH, but yet I still see the safe Samsoon-ism. Not every 30 sth single lady HAS to be a replica of Samsoon. I may be odd in totally hating seeing an actor/actress reliving an endearing role, but it does underwhelm me.

CH also have probs with the plot, I'm flipping thro ep4 now, and I'm not sure if a total ep of pagent is considered my kind of fun, I just thought a lot of the twists and turns of the drama r predictable and nonessential...therefore again I can either call it draggy/boring.

All in all, it's a decent drama, the acting (Suna's also of coz) is not problematic, but it is predictable and I do not appreciate the cliched slapstick 'humor'. Die-hard fans (ie will watch anything and everything AND enjoy just seeing them onscreen) of both stars will find enough fodder to excite them.

@ kb
I hear you about consumerist-ordained holidays. All we do is send simple cards and call our moms. We don't make big deals of birthdays, either, but if the person you love most doesn't even wish you a Happy Birthday, wouldn't you feel...a little forgotten? After all, it is the thought that counts...even if you're thinking of that person every single other day of the year. ;)

@216 Samsooki

Eh, you know, sometimes I make up my own ending as well. LOL But it usually happens with American/European shows that tend to disappoint me a lot more often than kdramas. I think that's because I know what to expect -sort of- from Kdramas.

Ah I can't wait to hear your opinion on Hong Gil Dong. I've dropped it after 4/5 eps, but I might be persuaded to watch more. *g*

Anyway, back to Flowers for my life. I highly rec it. It shot to #1 of my top list! The acting, the script, the characters, the editing and directing...everything was top notch! I laughed and cried and it was wonderful. I loved every minute of it. Coffee Prince, which was my #1 drama, still holds sentimental value and I never grow tired rewatching the eps, but Flowers...I must admit it really is better. Ok, well, let's say they're both at #1 even though Flowers has that little more umph, if you know what I mean. Oh and yeah, I'm so afraid of watching new dramas now...I'll probably end up comparing them to Flowers and I'm afraid of the outcome.

I can't thank JB enough. I would have never watched this if she hadn't talked about it. It's really a gem!

i'm always so late on open threads. damn job! it always makes me miss the important things in life...

i'm a thai drama/lakorn fan... watched more of those than anything else... 2nd would be kdramas, but only whatever has subs... a few twdramas and i've only watched 1 j-drama (1 litre of tears) and 1 j-movie (tears for you)...

For Thai lakorns, i'm a fan of Ken Teeradeth and Chakrit Yamnam, so whatever has them i'm watching!! For female Thai actresses, i'm a huge Ann Thongprasom fan, so i always try to watch everything she's in.. Aom Piyada is also a fave of mine, along w/ Kob Suvanant... back in the day.

***in case anyone watched Bangkok Dangerous w/ Nicolas Cage, Chakrit is "Kong", the student of Cage's character. it still irks me that they had Krit speak w/ a fake accent... such BLASPHEMY when the man speaks perfect English. but you gotta do what you gotta do in a movie role, right?

@218 kb

I'm not sure, but we seem to share some similarities in how we look at things.

I'm not sure to what extent, if any, you follow this principle, but for me, I dislike celebrating my birthday and I feel a little bit bad about making a fuss about other people's b-days, etc. My thinking goes like this. I try to do what I can for other people, especially the closer people, in my life whatever I can do, regardless of what day it is. And I don't like being obligated by an arbitrary date to be "nice" to someone, because I do whatever it is that I will do, regardless of an arbitrary date. Similarly, I don't like it when other people are "forced" to give me a gift or whatever because of a random date. If they wouldn't have given me anything if it weren't for an arbitrary date, then I wouldn't want anything from them in any event. If you want to give me a present, give it to me when you feel like it, not when you are obligated to do it, and then I'll know that you wanted to give me a gift because you wanted to. HOWEVER, I realize that very few people subscribe to this principle, and so I follow the commercialized and arbitrary dates for those people who like to be recognized on their 'special' days. I wouldn't do it for myself, but I can't apply my beliefs to others arbitrarily.

Anyway, I call my mom and speak with her relatively often (every weekday night, mon-fri, after work) and we get along just fine now. A while ago, years ago, when I was pretty messed up about all the expectations that were forced on me, and I really felt like I was living my life for everyone else other than myself, and I just wanted to disappear and start over, I went literally months without calling, visiting or even seeing anyone from my family, and it was hard on everyone.... man, it ain't easy fixing yourself and growing up and becoming mature, repairing damaged relationships, forgiving other people, and moving on and up in your life.

Holidays are always crazy for me because I have my family and then my husband's family. I cant imagine having a divorced set of parents thrown into the mix like some of my non-asian friends.

Being Asian, filial piety is expected by both sides and I often feel stretched trying to do the right thing for everyone. Mother's day is pretty bad since it involves shopping for gifts, shopping for groceries, cooking, and cleaning up but times two. Both my mother and MIL prefer homecooked meals vs going out so it is crazy to feed some many relatives. Does anyone else feel like a drudge some days? I'm still recovering from this weekend

@225, nycgrl:

did you have 2 sets of parents over for mother's day? did you go to one house and then go to another house?

Hi Samsookie

Two separate places--its the same for thanksgiving, Christmas, new years, father's day etc. Throw in both sets of parent's birthdays and bi-weekly visits to both sets of parents and it become a scheduling nightmare. When will I ever get time to watch my kdramas?

My sisters' in-laws are either in korea or far away in the states. I have to say I envy them sometimes.

hjkomo,

you are absolutely right.

samsooki,

post #224 expresses my sentiments exactly. i think that's why i enjoy reading your posts so much. it's as if my thoughts are being written down by someone else.

@ mishane

OMG, me too! "Sugar Water" will, forever, be tied to "Buffy" for me. Oh man, that show was SO good. But, I'm going to have to watch this video when I get home (I'm still at work). Unless I can watch it and still be amazed without sound...

apologies...but this probably won't that coherent :s ...ANYWAYS

I know this thread is out of date (it's already friday again) but a lot of the above comments really struck with me. Especially all the discussions on different types of dramas-- i'm technically on hiatus from this (or else my academics would completely cease to be) but now i'm really tempted to pick them up again~ even enough that'd i'd consider a TW drama (which i've decided are WAAAAAY too cutesy for my personal taste-- well, except for MARS. I'm attracted the shiny dramas much more too, but i was so impressed- especially in comparison to the other TW dramas i had previously seen)

@A.-

so true! you and your friend we're really dead on about the one word drama descriptions.

@ mishane

Your comments on IJUKSA are actually the reason why i've decided to comment. it seems like our watching experiences were very similar. i decided to watch the drama b/c i wanted to become more familiar with Shin Minah (i was a JJH fan and this is when Devil was coming out) plus I'd seen Rain in Full House but for some reason, unlike the rest of the netizen population, i didn't like it- and wanted to give him another chance. Somehow this ridiculously ANGSTY drama caught me off guard and i really liked it! a lot. I definately did the 4am marathons (there was one night i remember marathoning then heading straight off to the school the next morning)...i got so into it. and tho i wouldn't consider myself a legit Rain fan i got REALLY into him b/c that drama...(haha, looked VERY good too). and the soundtrack too. even now i can't understandy *why* i liked it so much but i know it did. I also agree (with another post? sorry forgot the name) but the ending? SUCKED! IT WAS A TOTAL COP OUT! i guess i won't make a spoiler but i also felt empty after that. i couldn't believe it was the end...ha, so i sat there and read all the other user comments on the page i watched the show through. oh gosh, drama withdrawal can be soo bad-lol

oh well, long story stort, mishane you're not the only one! :)