Ask javabeans…
by javabeans
Um. So I’ve been really bad with emails lately, folks. Well, I’m always prone to being bad with emails, but lately stuff is taking over my offline life and I’ve been really awful, and my inbox is overflowing, and I feel stressed out about that and guilty, but most emails ask for stuff and responding to requests for stuff takes time and I don’t have a lot of time these days and OMG did I mention the stress? I do have a job and a life (sometimes) and also a pretty busy blog and somehow I woke up and it was already June. June 2009. (Anyone who’s spent a number of years in the dreaded Real World knows the horror of realizing one day that not mere weeks but months or even years have slipped by, and boy isn’t that depressing.)
Also, I get a lot of repeat questions, and maybe I should just update that durned About page or make another FAQ but like I said, have! no! time! and also this site is also overflowing with too many pages and subpages already.
So anyway, I figured, I’d make a post where you could just ask me questions and I’d answer them as they came and maybe then I could alleviate some of that email-backlog burden, because face it, that backlog is more of a wasteland about now.
Let me answer a few off the bat:
- Are you Korean? I am ethnically Korean, but am also 100% American. I speak English. I speak Korean with the parents, but they’re fluent in English so I switch back and forth.
- Will you feature other writers? Maybe. Got a review/rant/recap you’d like featured here? I’m open to it! Email me and let me know what you wanna write. I’ve considered expanding this site in the past more than a few times but always ultimately ruled against it, deciding I’d rather post fewer things and be more in-depth than try to be comprehensive. Being comprehensive is a lot of work, yo! But I love guest bloggers, and if you’re a pretty good writer with something to say about dramas or cinema or pop culture, hit me up.
- Will you link to my site? Maybe. I hate being asked for links because it makes me feel guilty when I don’t. But I’m also pretty picky so I’ll usually watch a site for a while and if it’s cool, I’ll link it. A lot of really great sites I have linked or wanted to link have died out after a month or two. Of course, if I’m really missing out on a fabulous link — by which I mean well-written, interesting, relevant, and generates their own content — I’m always happy to be informed about it.
- You’re kinda pretentious, aren’t you? Yeah, well, whatchoo gonna do… I have strong opinions and the opinionator inside my brain usually works with the wordiness-multiplyer to equal very long-winded thoughts. But you know this.
- Can you send me the OST of __ movie/drama? If I have it, I’ll sometimes send it along. If I don’t, I won’t go digging around for it, sorry! I’d honestly like to give everyone what they ask for, but it’s that pesky time issue again.
- In a similar vein, What’s the name of __ guy in __ movie? Here, let me google that for you.
- Will you be watching/recapping [upcoming drama name]? I don’t know. I don’t ever decide until I’ve actually watched the first episode, or sometimes first two. If I say yes and I hate it, I don’t want to find myself stuck having committed, which either means (a) I’m stuck watching something I hate, or (b) I reneged on a promise to recap something. Easier just to say “I’ll wait and see.”
- Will you recap City Hall? No.
- Pretty please? It’s really good! I’ve heard that. Still no.
- But… No.
- Why not? Here’s the thing. I watched the first episode and part of the subsequent one, and was bored to tears. I know that it gets better and people are raving about it, which means maybe I’ll come back to watch it later. But in my mind the recapping boat has pretty much sailed. I never close the door to doing a “classic” recap, but thus far I haven’t had time to do any of the series I wanted to do after the fact. (Attic Cat, Alone in Love, Delightful Girl Chun-hyang…)
- If you won’t do it, can I? Really? Would you? Because if you can and are willing, I am open to guest recappers! (For instance, I know I won’t have time to watch The Man Who Can’t Get Married for a while…) What you need is access to the videos, decent ability to write recaps, and the desire and commitment to stick with a series. You don’t have to be Korean, you just have to be motivated.
- That’s kind of a big commitment. Maybe just a review then? That’s good too.
- I read your review of __ series. You’re sooo wrong. I’m just expressing an opinion, so I’ll stand by my review/praise/mockery. On the other hand, if you want to write a rebuttal… (refer to item above)
- When is the next recap coming of [pending drama]? When I have time. If I’m recapping a drama, trust me, I haven’t forgotten. Chances are I might even be more aware of the late recap than you! Again, there’s this thing called time, and it’s a limited entity… (I know and I’m sorry, Return of Iljimae!) If ever I actually decide to drop recaps, I’ll let you know.
And so on. Ask away!
![[K-drama Treasure Hunt] Heart-fluttery bottle opening](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Kdrama-treasure-hunt.png)
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51 Javabeans
June 23, 2009 at 2:23 PM
I'm not really into vampires.... I loved Buffy, but that was more because it was a sharp and clever show, not because it was about vampires. I admit to not liking Twilight, because I flipped through it and the writing (not the plot, the actual prose) was horrible. That plus all my friends who read it -- even those who liked it -- said it was badly written. So I have no great desire to read Twilight. At this point, I kinda feel like I've already read it, yunno?
Hm, actor friends? I don't know if I'd actually like to hang around with any actors. I'd hate for illusions to be crushed. I think the more fun personalities would be the less-famous ones though.
In a drama, I'd be the observant and cynical side character who sighs at all the stupid romantic leads who just can't see how in love they are with each other and HOOK UP ALREADY. HAHA.
Best think about Korean culture? Well, this is a weighty question and my answer will be pretty brief in comparison, but there's an interconnectedness of relationships that isn't as emphasized in Western culture, which is much more about Standing On Your Own. It's an extension of the family aspect, where co-workers aren't just people who share office space but your sunbaes and hoobaes, mentors and mentees, etc. There are downsides of that, because sometimes you just want to be yourself instead of someone's mother/daughter/sister/employee, but there's a nice side too.
I used to be a much bigger fan of US television, but haven't been into anything in the past few seasons. I was a big Buffy fan, also Veronica Mars, Arrested Development, Office, Gilmore Girls, Weeds.
As far as I know, BBF2 is just a rumor. If it was happening, the news would be EVERYWHERE.
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52 mzpakipot
June 23, 2009 at 2:29 PM
wow! looks like there are some pesky questions regarding City Hall....hehehe!
I hope someday you will give it a shot, you don't have to do recaps or review or anything like that....just kinna see what's all the buzz about.
I really don't have a question for you, because after coming here for almost 3 years now, i feel like i've known you...i like the songs you like, the dramas you like, the actors/actress you like, but lately....Actually I limited my Korean Drama viewing unless I like the actors/actress/writers/PD. Sometimes, i'll give a new drama 1-2 episodes, but they just don't pan out for me, so i basically do some re-runs ie. mnikss. But City Hall has me very occupied right now, and i don't know what i'll do when it's done. I have been thinking about watching Love and Marriage and Story of a Man because i like Park Ki-Wong.
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53 Javabeans
June 23, 2009 at 2:40 PM
You said, you keep your online/offline life separate? Isn’t that like having 2 personas?
Not exactly. I'm always me, so I'm never saying anything I don't actually think. But i think of it more like keeping the conversations to the topic at hand.
Favorite scriptwriter? For kdramas, I don't have a favorite, although I'll pay attention to previous works when a new drama comes up. Like the Hong Sisters. For non-Korean things, I have a tremendous respect for Joss Whedon although I don't think he's infallible. But he's pretty damn close.
Stereotypes... The bitchy mother-in-law is SO TRUE. I have known some lovely mothers-in-law in my life but there's always an element of superiority/dislike toward the daughter-in-law who can never do right by the precious son, no matter how she tries. There aren't a lot of allowances for the modern career woman wife, for instance.
The cliches that drive me crazy? Um... the perfect chaebol dude? It's like, Korea is a very small country. There are only a limited number of actual chaebol families! It's the equivalent of every romance novel featuring a duke. And they always fall for the poor, innocent, plucky girl. (Trust me, Korean girls can be biznatches -- we're more fun that way! Ain't nobody that pretty, sweet, pure, and good.) Also, the cliche of the study-abroad student who comes back to Korea and is supposedly fluent in English and all stylin'. Have you heard Eric Mun speak English? Kim Ki-bum? You don't go to the U.S. for two years and come back Tablo.
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KombatPiggie
April 2, 2011 at 6:17 PM
The mother-in-law rumors are TRUE and i experienced them first hand. They may seem all sweet and nice at first, but before you know it, they turn evil. i call mine EMIL.
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54 katara
June 23, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Just curious...
How do you like your coffee?
I love your blog. Thanks a lot.
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55 Javabeans
June 23, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Black. (with milk if it's bad coffee. ;) )
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56 coffee princess
June 23, 2009 at 3:00 PM
hey Java!! so i was wondering are the recaps for painter of the wind going to be continued, i thought that the drama was amazing and i enjoyed reading the recaps as much as watching the show. I think you had a guest blogger recapping so is there any chance you could get them to do it again?
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57 lovenyc52
June 23, 2009 at 3:03 PM
"Have you heard Eric Mun speak English? Kim Ki-bum? You don’t go to the U.S. for two years and come back Tablo."
lol JB!!!! I actually have not heard Eric speak english - is it that bad?? for some reason i thought he grew up in the states? But yes, Tablo is just.. well he's Tablo. He excels in too many areas haha :)
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58 Artemis
June 23, 2009 at 3:06 PM
I don't really have a question but wanted to say thank you for starting this thread. It's been really enjoyable to read your answers to a lot of questions I've had myself.
I read your blog every day - have been for a couple of years now, and you have contributed to A LOT of enjoyment and been a nice diversion from RL. I usually check out what you rave about - sometimes I like what you like, sometimes I don't, but your recaps are always enjoyable and very informative to read. I even read recaps of shows I don't follow.
I wish there was a Javabeans in the Jdrama world as well - alas....there isn't. You are pretty unique, you know!
Oh, and I blame you for my obsession with KHW! ^_^
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59 xiaoSxin
June 23, 2009 at 3:21 PM
which city or state are u from? i am just curious, it if it is too weird for you to answer that is ok too
thanks for your blog, it is one of my bookmarks on my safari
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60 Jerseyboys
June 23, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Javabeans, just wanted to say how much i love your site - Being new to the world of korean drama's your blog is like a light in the dense fog of a million dramas.
Finding you through the mutral apprication of the marvous coffee prince, i watched Que Sera Sera as you mentioned how much you liked it and loved it - although only still having watched a handful of korean dramas, they tend to follow a simlar patten so Que Sera Sera was a breath of fresh air, sexy fresh air even ohh err!
Anyway, just wanted to add you are now on my favourites list and thank you for your effort and hard work!
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61 May May
June 23, 2009 at 3:39 PM
do you go to korea sometimes ?
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62 ar_arguably romantic
June 23, 2009 at 3:42 PM
First of all: thank you so much for creating this blog. It is always a pleasure to read. And thank you so much for the recaps. You don't just go over what happens in the episodes, but you reflect on it. It's almost like reading a short novelization of the drama sometimes. I love it! My favorite posts are the year-in-review ones you do at the end of the year- i hope you will always do them!
(i read a lot of romance novels and i totally agree with you on the duke thing!)
My questions:
Do you watching dramas from other asian countries (i.e. Japan, China, the Philippines)? And if so, what are your favorites?
Do you read manga/manhwa? If so, what are you faves?
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63 Miss_Curious
June 23, 2009 at 4:01 PM
How much time do you spend per day (on average)on this blog, including all the time it takes to research for news, writing out posts, and mere thinking about this blog?
We all know that you have a job and outside life to manage. So am very curious about your time spent on this blog.
If I had to guess, it would have to more than 3 hours for sure? Ya?
Thanks for maintaining a great blog!
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64 Priki
June 23, 2009 at 4:06 PM
No question, but I've just watched a video that, given how you've already spoken up about how creepy the whole Twilight (and Edward Cullen) thing is - totally agree with you there!! - and as you were a Buffy fan - me too! - I thought you might dig. It's a Buffy-Twilight parody, and I thought it was AWSOME! Really well-edited, and I got a kick out of seeing some Buffy moments I actually remember being used to diss Edward! Hehehehe
Link: http://blip.tv/file/2261825/ (Buffy vs Edward (Twilight Remixed))
Enjoy!
PS: Thanks for opening this thread, it's really entertaining!
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65 Elise
June 23, 2009 at 4:07 PM
In the future, if you have time, do you think you can do a summary of all the dramas airing right now, similar to http://www.dramabeans.com/2009/04/currently-airing-dramas-a-roundup/ but for now? :D Cuz now so many dramas are ending/ended and there are so many new ones that I don't know what's airing anymore -_-;; Please do it if you have time! ^ ^ ♥
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66 Angela
June 23, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Also, the cliche of the study-abroad student who comes back to Korea and is supposedly fluent in English and all stylin’. Have you heard Eric Mun speak English? Kim Ki-bum? You don’t go to the U.S. for two years and come back Tablo.
That made me laugh out loud! It's so true, too! I love how so many dramas use that "study abroad" trope. For example (and I know that the actress doesn't actually speak the language, so I should just give in to the illusion and all that, BUT), in "Samsoon" (yes, I shortened the title), Samsoon's French is HORRRRENDOUS! I mean, seriously. I've met some Koreans who had come to France to study the language (I was also there for a study abroad program), and they sounded marginally better, but I honestly couldn't understand what Samsoon was saying to Henry in that one scene at the hotel. I had to read the Korean subtitles to figure it out. Ok, that was mean, I know. But still. I think similarly when I hear the just-got-back-from-studying-abroad-in-the-States character speak English. It's just something that REALLY sticks out for me because I'm such a language-nerd. I do have to admit, though, that Koreans speak better English than most French people that I've met. I love French people, but their English just sucks. (Well, for the ones who don't care, anyway)
I love your blog, and I have to seriously restrain myself from reading your recaps at work...especially if they're recaps of a show that I'm actually, currently, watching.
Ok, done. Now I need to get out of this office while the sun's still out (I'm over on the East Coast, so it's past tae-geun time!).
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67 not-javabeans
June 23, 2009 at 4:37 PM
TO EVERYONE:
I WILL BE CLOSING DOWN THE SITE TONIGHT AT 12:00 AM UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT THESE PAST YEARS.
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68 xiaoSxin
June 23, 2009 at 5:00 PM
why????????
this blog has been part of daily routine!!!!!!! OMG, this is a SHOCK. Do you mean that you are closing down the site for good-permanently-always-final until further notice meaning if you change your mind??????
no no no no no no no no no!!!!!
i am petitioning for you not to close it down!!!! i am sure we can get thousands of signatures from all readers and bloggers alike from all over the world to agree with me!????
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69 cherry
June 23, 2009 at 5:06 PM
maybe it's a hoax? javabeans's reply is usually highlighted and boxed.
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70 langdon813
June 23, 2009 at 5:09 PM
I'm pretty sure that JB didn't post that statement, as all of her comments are usually contained in a pretty blue box.
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71 lei
June 23, 2009 at 5:15 PM
No, that isn't JB. Her name is always hyperlinked. And she's much more articulate than that and knows her netiquette (sp?).
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72 Nom_Kitteh
June 23, 2009 at 5:15 PM
@67, if you are going to impersonate jbeans, you have to get yourself the BLUE BOX she answers in. Hijack PHAIL.
Jbeans,
I have one question:
Will you recap City Hall? Pretty please? It’s really good!
:-)
You're much younger than I thought you were! I was sure that you were in your early 30s or mid 30s, and I mean that as a compliment.
I like your taste in dramas. I don't agree always, and I don't expect to, but I like how your taste goes beyond genre. Also, I like that you often can see through pretentious storytelling -- Dolce Vita being a great example.
If you are single (and your parents are bugging you to get married), then I hope there are Korean men reading because you would be quite a catch. So my earnest question is: Would you prefer to marry a Korean man or at least a Korean man who is connected to Korean culture? I realize that this is a loaded "identity politics" question and irrelevant to your blog, but considering the fact that you enjoy Korean entertainment so much and you describe yourself as "ethnically Korean but 100% American," I wonder how much of yourself feels split. Do you ever have the desire to move to Korea for a while? Do you feel connected to Korea as a nation or country or it more a cultural connection? When you are this immersed in Korean entertainment do you feel alienated in America where so much of contemporary identity is American pop-culturafied?
Also, it's cool if you feel the questions are too personal, political, and irrelevant and don't want to answer.
Thanks for the blog!
P.S.: Don't give out too much information about yourself here in open forum! Sorry, that's the old protective scaredycat in me speaking.
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73 Javabeans
June 23, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Omo omo! Who is that trying to impersonate me? HILAAAAARIOUS!
Ah, a quick check shows that it's the same "irrashional" who thought my boy-kissing-boy post was offensive and "unnecessary"! ;)
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74 lei
June 23, 2009 at 5:23 PM
LOL jb! The idiot doesn't know there's such a thing as an IP address, apart from not knowing how to spell
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75 Sowon
June 23, 2009 at 5:33 PM
LOL, javabeans! Take it as a compliment: you're so popular on the Net now that people are trying to impersonate you! :D
And, by the way, thanks for creating this new thread! No questions for now, but later probably......
Your loyal blog-follower,
~*Sowon*~
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76 Javabeans
June 23, 2009 at 5:34 PM
On to the questions:
Eric's English isn't horrible (okay, he has a really thick accent) but it definitely isn't suave or smooth, unlike how kdramas tend to portray the (supposedly) multilingual stars.
The only other Asian dramas I've seen have been jdramas, but not too many. It's really mostly a time issue -- as you know, drama fandom is a time-consuming hobby. Reading lots of comments about great jdramas and tdramas (and others) makes me want to catch some of them for sure, though.
I'm in Los Angeles, for now, but I'm planning a move soon.
I'm not really a manga/manhwa fan. I think I'm just not appreciative of the format -- I've had friends try to turn me on to graphic novels several times, handpicking a few so I could see "the best" of the genre... and meh. I don't like reading text with my pictures, I guess?
The blog does take up a LOT of time. Particularly with recaps, although I've settled into a pattern so I've streamlined the process since I first began writing them. Let's just say, I treat this as a part-time job, almost. But a fun one.
That Buffy v. Edward clip says everything I've ever felt about Twilight and creepy Edward.
I would NEVER live in Korea. I love my connection with the culture and heritage, but as one cousin once told me (who was born in Korea, went to middle school through university in the U.S., and returned to Korea to marry), "Women who have experienced living in the West should never live in Korea, particularly with marriage." I don't know about the dating/marrying thing... In my "real life" I don't actually think about my ethnic background at all -- I went through an identity-seeking phase in college, but have since come to terms with it and it gives me no angst now, so I guess the generic, but true, answer would be, "It doesn't matter." Except when it matters. Haha.
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77 Sowon
June 23, 2009 at 5:38 PM
What pattern do you use to streamline the recap-writing, Javabeans?
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78 Sowon
June 23, 2009 at 5:53 PM
A few more questions -...I'm sorry if I'm spamming the comment section here but it's just that I keep coming back every 10 mins or so, thinking, "Gosh, I forgot to ask that!". And by that time, I can't edit my previous comments anymore. Think of it as a new-found feeling that you're more readily accessible to us here, if you will. :P
Anyhow, to the questions:
1) Where are you moving? And do you live in the city or county of LA?
2) What do you think of Choi Ja Hye? She's not that famous...so just wondering.
And that's all....for now....:) Thanks in advance for answering!
~*Sowon*~
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79 meenuby
June 23, 2009 at 6:04 PM
First of all JB, thanks a million for all that you do to feed our k-drama addiction.
I'm a HUGE bookworm too....so my question is what's the last good fiction book you've read?
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80 hjkomo
June 23, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Sarah, I just want to thank you for filling the last couple years with pure entertainment, fun, laughter, and insight. You are a godsend. :D
Even reading this post (while sick with a cold)...the laughter has given me a much-needed energy boost.
And I really must send you some home-roasted coffee one of these days. Email me if you'd like some.
Oh, I had been meaning to ask you about a song you posted back in the early days. It's the one you said was perfect for listening to in the car. (And it really is a perfect car song, but I couldn't find it. :( )
@ Samsooki
Did you really need to ask? o_O
I'm more than happy to share KJH with someone as funny and generous (and non-delusional) as JB...how else could I repay her a fraction of what she's given me and so many others? (Btw, JB, I know you've got the ad revenue to cover your costs now, but are you ever gonna reinstate your donate button? You deserve something extra....like another vacation. :D )
p.s. LOL at the not-so-subtle marriage push from the parents. Just wait...after marriage, it's the push for grandkids...then something else...it NEVER ends. ;)
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81 Priki
June 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Glad you enjoyed the video! I love how the editor chose a lot of scenes of Buffy looking bored (and saying so, too) and altogether uninpressed (although I do thing it's funny / ironic / curious that most of those scenes seemed to came from Buffy/Spike scenes, and I absolutely LOVED Spike back in the day...)
=)
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82 kate
June 23, 2009 at 6:20 PM
thanks..JB..this is a great read..would you ever want to be a writer for korean drama and hand pick your favorite actor or actress to portray the characters (beside KANGJIHWAN)?
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83 nara
June 23, 2009 at 6:33 PM
I'm not good in english..but..after i get addicted to your site..i'm going to improve my english....thanks to you Sarah
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84 Samsooki
June 23, 2009 at 7:19 PM
@80 hjkomo -
"Did you really need to ask? o_O"
PUH-lease.
1. It was a trick question!! It was obviously a trick question.
2. After our Lotte Duty Free connection between me and KJH (in Korean parlance, we matched eyes), all "mine!" claims other than mine were thrown to the curb. I had nothing to do with it. I felt bad... for a minute.
3. I also retract my announcement that you and bspanda get to share KJH. I only said that to bring you out of bed and back on the computer. Get better sickie!
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85 djeedjes
June 23, 2009 at 7:46 PM
I don't know why, but when I read you are in late twenties, HA! So you're around my age! HA! :D
IDK, in my real life mostly my fellow K-dramas addicts are at ajuhma's age. I even share my collection to my mom's older sister.
I, somehow learn English through your site. Like hjkomo said, you're a godsend. ;)
My questions :
1. do you have siblings? do you share your k-drama's love with them? I'm only child, and my mom doesn't into dramas - she's busy working and I live apart from them for too many years - and sometimes I wish I have sister who shares the addiction.
2. how do you deal with crazy commentators? When I got my 1st offending comment in my blog, I couldn't get it out of my head for days. Silly me.
3. when you finish your book, can we also take a look? I mean for someone who lives outside the US like me....I reallllyyyy want to read your book.
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86 harlene
June 23, 2009 at 8:01 PM
Hello there :D
I follow your site and I really admire the way you write :)
The way you are attached to your culture is amazing ;)
I am not a korean, but i want to be one :P I guess I am so addicted to Korean dramas ;)
Keep up the good work ;)
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87 hanneebuff
June 23, 2009 at 8:13 PM
haha! can't help but be happy that you are also a big Buffy fan. I loved that show but stopped watching it after season 5 i think.
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88 WINNIE
June 23, 2009 at 8:27 PM
Post #67 gave me a jolt for a second. I have to reread it to see if it is correct. Your reply JB put me at ease right away. I love your site. And although I don't leave comments a lot, I love reading the comments made by your readers. Many thanks for sharing your time with us.
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89 hajung
June 23, 2009 at 8:28 PM
the Korean student goes to america and is fluent thinig-
it really depends on how seriously you take your time in america i think -.-
I know a few long term exchange kids, and the ones that come because they are nal la ree and their parents need to do something with them don't learn so much. also the ones who go to towns with large korean populations.
but a few friends - 2 who have been here for 2 years- are really good. like, really good. and one friend was ponly here for three and shes freaking as good as i am and i've lived in USA all my life
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90 birdscout
June 23, 2009 at 8:30 PM
I remember the very first post I sent to your site and was so thrilled to get a "personal" reply. Lately, I have noticed fewer replies which is very understandable...I can barely keep up with reading the comments, let alone responding to so many of them. It truly is amazing the time & effort you put into this fabulous blog!
Would you ever consider meeting your readers in real life? Like a "K-drama Cruise of a Lifetime featuring discussions with the one and only Javabeans! Imagine wining & dining on a luxurious cruise ship around the Mediterranean while discussing all things related to Kdramas!" I'm only (half) joking.
Or, how about a meet & greet during the Asian Film Festival in NYC?
.
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91 birdscout
June 23, 2009 at 8:37 PM
Have you ever seen/met a kdrama star in the flesh?
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92 lei
June 23, 2009 at 8:42 PM
JB,
Are blind dates using a dating service and having your parents arrange blind dates for you more the norm than the exception in korea? i see it often in the kdramas i've seen, or they're at least mentioned.
I know dating services are everywhere but at least compared to US tv shows, I don't see it featured much. And I would die of laughter if my mom sets me up on a blind date. I bet she's dying to do that but, it'll really feel weird if she does hahahaha
I'd love for you to do episode recaps on Delightful Girl Choon Hyang. Didn't see it til recently and now I fully understand the Jae Hee love. And Uhm Tae Wong (sp?) is such a good actor too. I watched it co'z it's one of your highly rated dramas.
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93 kay
June 23, 2009 at 8:51 PM
since you're in the area, you should check out Kogi - i hear the truck stop is amazing.
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94 gailt
June 23, 2009 at 8:57 PM
i love this! this is even better than open thread (my opinion only). the impersonator was hilarious. keep it up!
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95 SP
June 23, 2009 at 9:04 PM
What's that korean instant noodles people recommended you a while ago seriously I have been craving for it but forgot the brand.
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96 Javabeans
June 23, 2009 at 9:30 PM
I've managed to streamline my recapping process down to:
1. Watch episode and capture screencaps as I go, while jotting down notes of each significant scene, translating important dialogue passages.
2. Pick out screencaps, upload them.
3. Format post to insert screencaps where appropriate.
4. Write recap. The notes jotted in Step 1 and screencaps help tremendously, because often I will have forgotten thoughts that struck me in the moment if I don't write them down as they occur to me.
5. Edit, proof, post!
The last novel I read that I was impressed by was Markus Zusak's I Am The Messenger. Zusak has an amaaaaazing way with language. It's simple, unpretentious and powerful. I'm going to read his Book Thief next. When I have time.
Home-roasted coffee? For serious? Sign me up!!
Is this the "driving song" you were talking about? http://www.mediafire.com/?imd1nimmlqm
I don't think the Donate button is coming back... I'm doing okay with ads, enough that I'd feel guilty taking your money! If you really want to do something, I'd appreciate a donation in my name or something. An animal shelter or literacy fund would be just tops. ;) (But I'll take coffee!! Haha. Someone actually sent me 2 pounds of coffee way back in the day -- thanks Amy! It was delicious.)
"how do you deal with crazy commentators?"
Okay, this is going to sound really weird but I try not to take this site too seriously. Er, I spend a ton of time working on it, and I'm committed to doing my best, but I try to keep in mind that in the scheme of things, it's just a site in the open internet seas and sometimes you'll get passers-by tossing out wreckage your way. irritating comments can sometimes sour my day for a couple minutes, but I TRY not take it seriously. The troll or flamebaiter or sometimes very eloquent angry dissenter doesn't truly know me, so they are judging the 2% of myself I put out here on this site, not the whole 100%.
That said, my big pet peeve is when someone tells me I'm factually wrong and I'm not.
This means that if I don't let myself believe all the negativity out there directed my way, I shouldn't believe all the praise either. (Was it Elizabeth Taylor who said that?) Netizens are fickle and one day's "You're awesome!" can turn into tomorrow's "You don't know what you're talking about, you stupid blogger." Seriously, all ya gotta do is make one flippant comment about somebody's favorite idol star and suddenly you've made an anti!
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97 Andromytta
June 23, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Hi Javabeans! I just want to say I love your site and I have no idea how you keep up with all the recaps! I tried to recap BoF and Coffee Prince on my website, but on about the 6th Cup of Coffee Prince, I linked to your recap and then gave up!
And about Twilight: I think I agree with you. I'm actually a HUGE fan of vampire lore/stories/movies, so of course I read Twilight. Can I just say, Edward and Bella are BORING and REAL VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, now that that is over with, I have, well, I guess it's a suggestion more than a question, but I've noticed how you, and me, and few other people lay "claim" to certain K-Actors, and I thought it might be kind of fun to have a thread where we can claim our guys! :D Oh, and if you do that, I want to be the first to claim Kim Bum, Kim Joon, Kim Jae-wook and Kim Jeong-hoon. I have a thing for "Kim" boys! *lol* And my KDrama Mama gets Lee Dong Wook! :D
Also, if Dream is available with subs where I can get it, if you don't plan to watch it or recap it, I would be happy to do so, as I FULLY intend to watch it....of course, if I do, my recaps may be biased towards a certain someone (see previous paragraph).
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98 mzpakipot
June 23, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Hi JB! You're moving? Where? I remember sometime ago that you were thinking of moving to Seattle? I think you will love it here! if Not, and want to be closer to your family. Frisco is nice too!
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99 bird
June 23, 2009 at 9:50 PM
@ dramabeans (#32): okiedokes! i'm done with episode 1 but have no screencaps at all, sigh. i'll catch up with the writing first (since the drama's already on episode 17 this week), and then i'm thinking maybe someone else could screencap the drama and send the caps for each episode in a zip file to me? that'd really be appreciated, since i don't have clubbox and enough space in my vaio to download videos. :)
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100 cosmopolite
June 23, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Hey sorry to keep coming back (it's kinda fun hahah) but I have a blog-related question. I think it was a couple of years ago when you put up a post on how you hit 500,000 hits (or something like that...)
I'm curious how has the site grown now? How much traffic do you average regularly? I'm sure it's tremendous these days!
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