Happy OT everyone! I am so excited to be able to post! I've missed everyone so much! I couldn't even wait to read all the posts!

This week has been crazy...I drove up to VA to take care of an injured friend for the week(she was in a car accident...pretty bad injuries) so I wasn't able to really have any internet alone time but we did manage to watch You're Beautiful(she's also my drama buddy) and DANG IT...I LOVE IT! Jang Geun Seuk is perfect!! I'm excited that I feel so comfortable with this drama. I feel like the characters are already so fleshed out that though there is room for growth there isn't anything that is lacking in them(for me right now). I am truly so thankful for that being the last time I loved a show (currently airing) from the beginning was Story of a Man. With that said, I have to admit its exhilarating to find a drama to be crazy over for a bit. Its also wonderful when you've been in a drama drought for a couple months. Its sweeter somehow :)

Now I think my drama plate will be full for awhile, Creating Destiny, IRIS and You're Beautiful. I do plan to watch Hero but I'm already spreading myself thin on the Wed/Thurs route. Its going to be so hard to choose when I get really strung out and wake up to watch eps live.

Anyway, hope the weekend is a wonderful one.
Back to playing OT post catch up.... ;)

So, I totally have watched every single one of my dramas on mysoju.com. Oops!

I got signed up fine with DramaFever, then an "oh btw, you're outside the US so no-no for you." I get that copyright laws vary from place to place, but unless I missed it, there's mention of its limitation on the site. Maybe I did miss it, heh, but still! Le sigh.

I've just finished watching "Story of a Man" (loved it!) and I'm ready to start another. Maybe "Iris"? Hmmmm....

I like to watch from streaming sites, like the ones mysoju gathers together, before I download. I'm not a trusting viewer, heh. But, I did trust that mysoju was ok. I downloaded ALL of Snow Queen (which took forever) watched two episodes, and then I deleted ALL of Snow Queen. So, now I decide if I actually like the drama before I let it take up space on my laptop. Or external, when I get one... .

Maybe I'll have to change my view on downloading blind, but I'll search around first. Need my drama fix!

Btw, hayell no...Sam Soon should never, ever, ever go back to her cheatin' ex. He was only interested in her because others were, too--and because she refused to go back to him. So, half of his interest is lost already if she accepts him again, right? And, if she accepted him again, well, he wouldn't have to worry about competition anymore because he knows she doesn't cheat. So, there goes the other half of his interest. Then, he cheats. ^^

The blind date guy, ok, maybe. The ex, wth. No.

Btw2: Still loving Shin from "Story." ^^

Totally in love with You're Beautiful now! Ep 2 is hilarious! I probably woke my husband up laughing but it just couldn't be contained. That hour just flew by. Crack indeed...it's a LONG time until next week. What I loved the most (no spoilers here!) is how certain events have already been turned topsy turvy and we're only two hours in! Ordinarily we'd be at at least 7-8 eps into a drama before taking such a turn. Who knows where we're going now?? Those Hong sisters are brilliant.

Glow in the dark_____!!

_____ covering the naughty bits!!

Baby _____ in the locker room!!

The numerous gratuitous shots of nearly-nekkid men didn't hurt things one bit; in fact I'd venture to say it enhanced the viewing experience quite satisfactorily.

:-D

@ 91 reluctantbutaddicted

I love that scene so much! Number 2 is What's Up Fox? and number 3 is Queen of Housewives. It might sound weird/strange but karaoke scenes are one of the defining scenes in a drama for me.

@ 94 belleza

"I love the concept of this show being essentially Hana Kimi, if Hana Kimi was starring Tohru Honda (esp. with her super formal of diction) and Kyo (angry guy . . . but also neurotic in a kind of helpless/sweet sort of way) from Fruits Basket."

LOL! I will now be watching the show in a different light. I think this is a good comparison. The thing I liked about this show instantly was the Hana Kimi vibe I got from it. When I first read Hana Kimi, I was in a manga slump/rut and it gave me something to get excited about. The same thing with You're Beautiful. Despite a lot of drama recs, I haven't been this excited by a drama since What's Up Fox?, which I watched earlier this year.
__________

Any Taiwanese drama recommendation? I've wanted to try TWDramas but I don't know where to start.

@ 103 - langdon813

I soo agree with you!
I cannot possibly wait till next week. The storyline is amazing and it's so fun to watch and time seriously flies when i watch it.

I can fill in the blanks!!!!!

Seriously, this drama is really fun, and cute, and just AMAZING!!!
the cast is amazing as well, almost as good as F4

You're Beautiful - it's settled then, collective crack for the entire Dramabeans family for the next 8-10 weeks!

Can't help myself, watched eps 1-2 again, and dayum, Park Shin-hye and Jang Geun-soek are pitch perfect right off the bat. We're so lucky to have this to savor and experience.

@ cingdoc

I enjoyed My Fair Lady, you're not the only one who didn't find it that bad. I really have seen many more much, much worse dramas, and even dramas that are so much worse than MFL that it's actually more entertaining than MFL for the sheer trainwreck value. Expectations and talent associated with MFL was so high, that why there is heightened criticism and dissection. But if we take a step back, it's actually cute, sweet, charming, and featured very good actors doing well. It's a win for me personally, even the middling ending. I can't fault anyone involved except the horrific scriptwriter.

@ doublethink101

"Any Taiwanese drama recommendation? I’ve wanted to try TWDramas but I don’t know where to start."

I think you've got a handful of recommendations for the t-drama "My Queen" in this OT alone, should be good, or at least worth checking out. I have not seen it and the story is not my cup of tea, but I've heard its quite good from others as well.

Other consensus good t-dramas:

Fated to Love You - all time bestseller, cute, plot moves briskly, could have had a better second half, but doesn't negate how good the first half is. Catapulted the leads Ethan Ruan and Chen Qiao-en into drama A-list status.

ISWAK - It Started with a KIss - gosh, there has been a lot of discussion on ISWAK in previous OT - also a fave of my OTers - amazing chemistry between leads Joe Cheng and Ariel Lin - story was very tight, adapted my a manga.

Black & White - breakthrough drama of the year (decade) for t-dramas, ala IRIS, all filmed in advance, gritty, big budget, twisty and turny police drama, awesome acting by lead Vic Zhou, and introduced the world to newcomer Mark Chao (currently belongs to langdon813's flock of baby boy collectibles) - probably my fave t-drama ever, not a romance, but does have romance in it.

Prince Turned into Frog - relative oldie for idol-dramas, but actually really good, with Ming Dao and Chen Qiao-en (IMO, the best pairing with Qiao-en was Ming Dao), enjoy for the simplicity of the story and the romance, imagine reading a teenage love story, but somehow it's not dumb or immature.

T-dramas are for the most part sillier and more slap-stick than its k- and j-drama counterparts. The acting talent is also not as deep, but all the ones I listed above are worth the time spent watching them. Good luck on your t-drama journey.

I'm so late to post, and I wonder if javabeans will read this, but may I make a request?

javabeans, if it's not too much work,can you please run a poll as you did at the end of 2007 so that your faithful readers can vote on favourite/least-favourite dramas, actors, quotes,etc. for 2009? I just re-read your 2007 polls and they look like such fun.

My chime in on MNIKSS:

Just on the issue of her louse of an ex - I initially wrote him off, useless set-up character I thought. But on a rewatch of MNIKSS (this drama is infinitely re-watchable), I found him less one-note and caught some of what made Sam-soon fall in love with him.

And she did love him, as he did love her. But what he did to her ended her love for him. And his love for her was as shallow and fleeting as his character. But there was love, Sam-soon knew it, which is why she was so very hurt. And we saw it, the flashback was sweet in Paris.

Just because a guy is a cheating asshat doesn't mean he can't and didn't love - it's just that once that love faded from red-hot, he was ready to move on. He did not understand that love meant commitment.

As for Sam-shik, I like to believe he is not the one and only for Sam-soon. Granted, they are a great couple, but as Sam-soon has shown us, life changes, moves forward, like it did for Sam-shik and Hee-jin. Someday, perhaps they won't together, we'll never know. But we know our Sam-soon, she'll be fine no matter what life deals her.

I love MKNISS - it may not be as perfect of a romantic fairy tale as City Hall - but its rich, thought-provoking and challenging.

@ 106 ockoala

As I write this it is exactly 1:06 AM...

Thank you for the recs. I have now found a way to spend my fall break. The only TDrama I've tried is Hana Kimi and it was too silly and slapstick for me to get past episode one. I've heard good things about Fated to Love You and It Started with a Kiss, but it's always good to get OTers' input.

@ 109 doublethink101

I used to get all my t-drama recs from my sister, but now I also trust in my OT friends. Glad you'll check out t-drama during fall break.

Fated to Love You is less slapstick than ISWAK, but honestly, since ISWAK is adapted from a manga, it's not too silly or jarring.

FTLV starts off with a bang! (in the first episode - those who have seen it know what I mean), and if you don't like it by the end of the first episode, it's probably not you're drama style or story.

ISWAK took me a few episodes to love it, and I did, because of the chemistry between the leads and a lot of very endearing side characters. Again, you'll know quickly (like Hana Kimi) whether you'll want to watch it or not. So you won't be wasting too much time if you end up not liking either.

Toodles!

Ooohhh! I wish I had some time watching You're beautiful... Sigh... Sounds soooooooooo appealing... May be some time next week... I'm envious of all of you... Have fun weekends everyone!

I loved Sam-soon, it was the first modern K drama that I watched. It gave off such a Bridget Jones vibe to me , not that it was a remake or anything, but it had a similar feeling. Started Your Beautiful, I wasn't going to watch but I was bored last night when I got home from work. It was so adorable I'm glad I gave it a try. Smile,you has also started out well, wow if IRIS doesn't fall on its face I'm going to be one happy little Kdrama watcher for the next few months! As for Kdramas to avoid can I just say Bad Love. I should have known better, it has bad in the title. I have never wanted to reach into the screen, grab a character, slap them upside their head and tell them to climb down off the cross and get over themselves like I did in that drama. The good thing is that this one was the story that taught me that no, you dont have to finish a bad drama. I do have to say that I'm still a little bitter about the hours I wasted watching that show. I want those hours back.

ON TWdrama....I'm watching an older TWdrama crack: The Rose atm.... w/ ff and some tolerance of bits of hilariously bad acting, cant take my eyes off it. It must be the first time I've seen ambiguously gay incestuous stuff believable, rooting for some more, and enjoying every juicy bro on sis/ bro on bro innuendos. It hit a right note of never pretending to be holier than thou in say Autumn in my Heart. Fun stuff. Hardcore Shoujo all the way and proudly so....meaty kisses btn guys that r bros, and the baby bro really hitting and breathing down the neck in lust of the big sis and said the words of he'll take her/'be my woman'... Some lines r projectile-vomit funny. I have a very soft spot for ISWAK so Joe Cheng is forever watchable in my book, esp when he's in a robe 90% of the time and a Yonsama do Yonsama will be envy of. Just to confirm TW is the only land that real life shoujo rocks, they do it with a stubborn conviction that is soo wholeheartedly sincere and adorable...almost to the pt that I'm not sure if shoujo manga deserves such honorable treatments.

I have given fated to love you 2 eps, friends keep telling me it get exponentially better later on... nth 'wrong' with it in the confines of TWDramaland. (BUT...emmmmm the whole first ep with all the beddings and mistaking the woman as your fiancee or the dude for your bf AFTER the deed....errrrr....okkkayy?! wait, wtf?!@?$@) It's just me and Ethan Yuan did not develop intense love, crucial to sustain sitting thro any entire TWdrama.
Chen QianAn is one of the few that no matter what lines she's thrown into, she can deliver as convincingly as possible... so I checked out Easy Fortune Happy Life. Blue is still crankily hot...and Roy Qiu is 99% identical to Mike He in looks, but even more pretty if that's possible and with much much less makeup.

TGIF, yay! Now I have the weekend free to do whatever I want, how nice!

Re: MNIKSS and Samsoon's choice
My 2 cents worth (because MNIKSS is my 2nd fav, all time, after CH!)

To me, there's no doubt it should have been Samshik. But not for the reason some of you mentioned. I believe the ex-bf did genuinely love her once...it was the 1st episode when they were in the hotel restaurant breaking up, when he said that he had once loved a girl with chubby cheeks who once had a dream, who would go to every bakery to be the world's best patisserie. He loved the ambitious and passionate woman that Samsoon was, but that's the "extent of his love". It seemed that in the 3 years that they dated, daily life took over, his love waned and he just grew bored, or you can call "outgrew" their relationship. I can see that happening in real life; that to me, was a very genuine portrayal of real life breakups. So when he joined in the pursuit of her later on, that's because seeing other people appreciating her made him see and remember her..."worth"??? I feel that he's not a complete jerk in following his heart, but because the story has him written as the "bad guy" all that rationale gets lost in front of us.

As for the blind date guy, he was never a contender, and his appearances (twice? 3 times?) served more as comedic setups to propel the story forward, more than anything. But he was also portrayed as a pretty good catch - good career, good personality, interested in Samsoon afterall, and not one that if Samsoon had picked, would have been a "settle".

So the fact that despite the men around her, she still chose Samshik has always bugged me. What is this story-set-upped love that makes Samshik the absolute one and only for her? I think it's because they essentially grew closer together, for lack of a better phrase. They slowly grew to understand each other, went through ups and downs together, appreciated each others' good and bad points, made each other laugh and they simply enjoyed each other's company. To Samsoon he became a man worth fighting for, not because he's the last one left, but because he's the only one around at the time that's worth her fighting for. Love is all about timing, isn't it? That's why I loved the show so much..it was written realistically up to the end, because they tell you, so, the main leads have made their decision to be together, what happens next is up to them. Like with the cheating ex-bf, Samsoon and Samshik could very well break up after a couple years after the initial passion fades, who knows? But that's life, and love! It was consistent in that tone to the end, and that's why I think the ending was perfect.

@Samsooki - You asked a question that I want to comment on. Did Samshik change into a different person during his time apart from the ex-gf, or did he just develop the capacity to love another as deeply, or even more? Do people change, or do they just grow bigger hearts?

I loved your question! It really made me think hard about Samshik's transformation in the show. Here's my take: I think Samshik did change into a different person. During the time apart, his initial confusion and heartbreak turned into resentment and his swift return to her side after she reappeared stamp from the fact that he never got closure in the first place. It seems to me that his resentment seems to be the dominant feeling in their time apart. If I put myself in his shoes...who could continue to love someone who you've both loved and hated at the same time, for years, even if she did have a good reason for leaving? I would find it unrealistic if his love didn't combust and fizzle out in the years apart. Add to that the "out of sight, out of mind" effect. Samsoon's timely appearance helped accelerate his change. I loved that the show DARED to show this "change of heart" in Samshik. It went against the cliche and suited the storyline perfectly.

In other notes I am up to Ep 12 of City Hall rewatching, with my hubby too! It's his first time watching a korean drama and he's loving it. Said to me tonight, "I was worried after she became mayor that the story will go downhill, but it looks like they are gearing up for something even better!" I am worried (for lack of a better word) that after City Hall there won't be anything other dramas I can share with him, because there simply is nothing better out there. A bold statement, but one that I believe to be true.

Dalja's Spring - Finished ep 17 last night...Funny, in watching DJS I was strongly reminded of Soulmate. I can't pinpoint how yet but I was wondering if anyone saw any similarities between the 2? Anyway, the show's getting really really good, but somehow I can't pluck up the courage to watch the next few to the end. I simply cannot take another obstacle and possible heartbreak, period. I sense it coming with the new character, and I just...cannot...I want to keep my happy memories of the 2 of them intact. I think I've watched one too many heartbreaks in these shows (CH, MFL, Full house, to name a recent few) and I'm just so pained and tired...albeit in a good way. I might have to do a U-turn and watch a completely different genre for a while. Get me some male-bonding and action dramas, any recommendations?! No heartbreaks, please! Intrigue, high-energy, exciting, mystery, anything but matters of the heart. I _don't_ want to FEEL for a while.

Having said that I might cave..it's only 3 episodes left afterall. oh, I don't know! We shall see how the weekend goes...You're Beautiful looks exciting from what everyone's saying here. I just hope there's no heartbreaks in store...

re: 17 @ Samsooki

I am usually doing the same with respect to other dramas. I wait till all the episodes are aired and then spend a day a two to watch it all at once. I made a mistake when I let myself start watching MFL right after ep 4 was aired. My days became ruled by the broadcasting, translating etc etc time, and it had nothing to do with the quality of the drama, which was a big disappointment plot wise. I just liked the Yoons :-)

I am going to hold myself tight with IRIS. I really like LBH'S acting, and I didn't get the chance to see him in his movies (not in The Good, the Bad,,,, and not in his Hollywood debut). Therefore, now I have to avoid the posts that will make me want to peek in this drama :-) but reading what JB has to say became a part of my daily routine... That's tough :-)

got back from the city not too long ago. RENT was amazing, as usual. adam pascal and anthony rapp just ROCKED it and i got chills listening to them. i mean, i've seen the show 2 times before and saw the movie but it just doesn't come CLOSE to seeing THEM live.. amazing.

the only downer was the couple sitting next to me. first off they bought the tickets off a friend of ours (off craigslist) who specifically asked for a certain amount (exactly what she paid for them, not a penny more), but when they met up to exchange money and tickets, the girl brought $40 less than the agreed upon amount saying 'oh i thought you said this amount....' (shady shady!!). anyway, this shady couple....STANK... and it's not just a lil B.O... it literally smelled like they both had not showered in a month and had been living on the streets. i kid you not. it was so bad that every time they shifted, a fresh wave of stink came my way. i had to reapply scented antibacterial gel several times during the show so that it would slightly cover the smell. horrible. i have never smelled anything like that other than on the city streets. it really makes me wonder about people's personal hygiene routines.

@cingdoc - no i didn't get to read the comment on OT103 but thanks! ya i got the general feeling that ziva's reinstatement was problematic watching the preview but not hearing what they were saying and reading the word 'murder' or something kinda threw me off. also at the end of the last ep when she asks to become a special agent, gibbs hesitated in signing the form and THAT'S WHERE THEY ENDED and i was like W....T...F....?!? so ya. hopefully this next week will have some good stuff :) ok and re: Tamra... now you feel our pain... and our utter PK love. and his wonderful emoting and the yeeeeeeeearning that's so evident in his eyes EVERYTIME HE LOOKS AT HER. oooook now i wanna return to the island.

@104 doublethink101 - by far the best TW drama is Black & White. it's an action-packed twisty turny series with the romance taking a backseat to the bromance. wonderfully acted and directed. if you want a more romantic one i'd go with Fated To Love You :)

ok apparently i need to get on this You're Beautiful train.. watching it week by week may kill me though. i do adore park shin hye....

and i need to get my a$$ back to dramafever and watch MNIKSS again. all these discussions are making me want to watch it!! .... after this busy ass weekend though.

@samsooki:
thanks for the information, i never knew about that, my friend just suggested it to me..
do you know any good place where i could watch a 'legit' one, please?
i would really like to watch you're beautiful again, coz it's so beautiful..

@ockoala - ok i went back to read some posts i had skimmed through and realized that you also recommended 2 of the ones i did for doublethink101 haha. and i was going to recommend ISWAK and Frog Prince as well (loved both!!) but i am always hesitant to recommend ISWAK as much as i love it... ariel's character is such... an acquired taste? it's funny - you totally either love it or hate it. i don't really know of anyone who was lukewarm about it. and frog prince introduced me to the ming dao/chen qiao en pairing <3! my 3 favorite tw-drama pairings are ming dao/chen qiao en (really liked them in ying ye 3+1 as well), ariel/joe (in iswak of course) and mike he/rainie (in devil beside you).

@ xiahkixiri

Unbelievable, but I seem the only person that haven't seen the whole MNIKSS series. A a matter of fact, when it was broadcast in my part of the world (i.e. The Holy Land :-) ) I didn't have interest in KDramas, but now I was looking for this drama so much, and I was totally unsuccessful, and reading Samsooki's comments and other really intelligent observations, just made me want to watch it so badly!!!!!!
I am rooting for rightful usage of contents, but I cannot log in for DRAMAFEVER, and there is no other way for me, to watch it. Therefore, xiahkixiri, I will be really grateful, if you could share the info about MNIKSS on YT with me.

I should have worked the whole day, but somehow I am spending hours upon hours just reading this thread and enjoying it so much!

JB and the DB Community people- you rock!

@ 106 ockoala

"You’re Beautiful – it’s settled then, collective crack for the entire Dramabeans family for the next 8-10 weeks!" -ROLF .

BTW, a week ago I went to the Korean Culture center, where I borrowed "Friend", the movie. Still didn't watch it. After all the recs here, I think I will watch the movie, and right afterwards, the series. (OMG, this Korean stuff totally controls my life now, and I am not Korean, don't understand Korean, haven't been to Korea, although planning it for a long while...).

@ Reese

I would highly recommend Swallow The Sun, it is a superb high quality drama.

No silliness, naivety or comedic female leads in this.

Just a superbly crafted production, well acted / directed and a highly intelligent script.

I too am sick of the overacted, comedic type leads, which might be able to sustain my attention for movie length, but for an entire drama length series!

This series is definetely not to be missed if you are tired of the dull, dreary and worn out world of drama cliches.

@ cingdoc

Thank you for checking up on me, you are so sweet! Yes, I'm feeling much better, it was not a serious boo boo, but a fly-by. However, I'm dragging all the kids to their peds (you're not a peds doc, are you?) for flu shots ASAP.

As for My Fair Lady - oh, I'm totally with you, I really moistened my eyes during the last ep, when Hae-na imagines Dong-chan still around. And it was a really missing him moment, not a oh I wish he was around to butler for me moment, which showed me that she's grown more independent. Again, if you strip away the inane plot machinations and repetitions created by the writer - the essense of the HN-DC relationship is very sweet, very believable, and the couple has a nice chemistry and connection together. I liked MFL at the end of the day for the actors and the lead roles (TY-EJ was underdeveloped, but that's like the last thing I can critique when OMG everything else about the plot was pretty useless).

Sooooo......Creating Destiny. Misleading trailer alert......
Blame the marketing department, I guess.

@123 ockoala

Good morning little sister! Glad you're feeling better!

I woke up early this morning and finished MFL; have to agree that the scene where Hae-na is imagining Dong-chan with her got to me too! That's what's been so frustrating about this drama all along; every now and again you get a glimpse of how great it COULD have been, and it's just depressing. Such a great cast...such a waste of their combined efforts. Oh well, onward and upward...

As far as YEH and YSH being a couple in real life, I say go for it! And it's got nothing to do with Lee Min-ki's supposed crush on her. Nothing at all. ;-)

@114 Mookie
Your take on Tdramas is so spot on. I was amazed by the daring The Rose. I thought Joe Cheng was awesome in it with his diva act. He looks so good with long hair. My only problem was with the leading guy. He was like a zombie. So awkward. I am not crazy about Ella but I prefer her to Ariel. Like someone said Ariel is an acquired taste. I didn't care for ISWAK at all.
I agree Roy looks like Mike but I think he much more intense and manlier. Mike is more boyish. Roy smolders. I couldn't take my eyes off him in EFHL. I also feel Roy is the more natural subtle actor.

Hi langdon-unni

How's the new impenetrable computer? I spent the morning at the car dealer service department, when really I want to do is watch some dramas, sad, huh?

I'm actually re-watching TBDAW this week, on Lee Junki fix - so much so, I'm gonna nab Illjimae when I reclaim my Hong Gil Dong dvd set back from my sister-in-law. I know I promised to watch ROI, but it's a little too serious/somber for my mood right now, you know what I mean. Sometimes, a little cheese is what we crave with our nachos. And I crave Junki cheesy goodness, can't help it, JB keeps posting darling pictures of Junki lately.

I think you, I, and Cingdoc came away from MFL with pretty much the same overall reaction/review - enjoyed it, but understood its limitations and gnashed our brains over all that potential and talent, the could of beens and should've beens. I'm a little (okay, A LOT) frightened at the back-forth going on in the comments section in JB's recap of the final episode (JB, it makes me so sad ppls can't have considerate divergent discourse, it's not a surprise, but don't let it get to you, okay?). As for the Yoon coupling in real life, I was been a doofoid, that's all, but it was kinda like YEH wore YSH's shirt as a symbol, perhaps only as deep as to commemorate their pairing and good working relationship.

(so your Min-ki has a crush on YEH? hee hee, let's make sure YEH gets herself hitched sooner rather than later, no?)

I'm not joking when I say that the next 2-3 months are gonna kill my concentration at work, and throw socializing into the back burner on Wed-Thurs nights. Why, oh why, can't IRIS be a Mon-Tues drama?

And I'm ready to resume my short movie reviews for OT-ers now:

The Restless - with Jung Woo-sung and Kim Tae-hee (and a bunch of other people, who, trust me, you're not going to much care about).

The Restless was a movie that was made for me to LOVE, absolutely love every second of it. Why? Because it has all the elements of ockoala movie-catnip: (1) Jung Woo-sung (mine!), (2) fantasy wuxia (I grew up on HK fantasy wuxia movies of the 90's - starring the likes of Leslie Cheung, Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Jet Li, Jackie Chan - it's like kung-fu, but everyone defies gravity, logic and wears flowy robes and had manes of glory), and (3) pretty damsels in distress.

But The Restless ended up not being a movie that I did love, even with the above three elements all present. Why? Because of 3 reasons: (1) unbelievably bad, I mean scratch your head makes no sense, plot - it's like the writer scribbled the following on his script - suffering warrior, middle heaven as a waystation for dead spirits, girl who looks like dead wife, and a magical stone to open the portals - and used that to make an entire movie without filling in the missing gaps or tying the elements together, (2) Kim Tae-hee (I cannot discuss KTH's performance without seeming like an anti, so I won't, I'll just leave it at that), and (3) bad wuxia special effects, they need to hire a HK action coordinator stat, and goes to show that Korea wuxia has a long ways to go, it's not terrible, but is pretty silly rather than awesome.

In conclusion - not even staring at Jung Woo-sung for pretty much every scene can save this movie or cause me to recommend it to anyone OTHER than die hard JWS addicts (like me). What is the killer about The Restless is that JWS's acting got worse, he adopted one expression, the wide-eyed, slighty stunned look, throughout the entire movie (and dog-nabbed it, I swear it rubbed off on him because of you-know-who). And half his face was also obscured by his mane of distress. At the end of the day, there are way better JWS movies, and way better fantasy wuxia movies. Check out The Restless when you have absolutely exhausted the former two options.

The Rose...I LOVE that drama. For one reason only...Joe Cheng. I'm not crazy about Ella and the other lead guy makes Daniel Henney seem skilled by comparison, but Joe Cheng was amazing in this part. AMAZING. He's close to the top of my "flock of baby boy collectibles" (tm ockoala :-) ).

Talk about a character that's hard to sell! Kui has abandonment issues, gender-identity issues, inappropriate sexual urges towards his siblings (male AND female), and gorges himself with food constantly in an effort to fill the emptiness inside him. And throughout all of this bad behavior, he's flouncing around in silk robes and ruffled blouses with a gorgeous flowing mane of hair and wearing a scowl on his face that would send small children running to their mothers.

Is he a boy? Yes! Is he a girl? Yes! Will you fall in love with him?

Absolutely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=236r_BL0E9U

The Rose:

I've read the manga, but cannot for the life of me watch the t-drama - I actively have an adversion to Ella (I'm sorry, Ella fans, just chalk it up to my weird tastes, okay?). But the Kui character is written by the manga writer as a billion shades of awesome flouncy coolness - he's like an effete, hipster queen, and he sees through everything.

I can imagine Joe nailing it! My sis loved him as Kui.

@127, ockoala
@128, me

HA! We posted at exactly the same time. Great minds!

This laptop is awesome! Plus, now I can download stuff, I won't always be limited to streaming video. I have an external hard drive too, so the possibilities are endless. Happy, happy, joy, joy!

I need to dive back into HGD today...it's raining and chilly here and I can't think of a better way to spend the afternoon, really.

Nothing at all against Lee Junki, but Jung Il-woo has ruined me, I'll never be able to see anyone else as Iljimae.

@118 moimoiness -

I would try: http://aja-aja.com/regular/you%27re-beautiful

:)

Check out the rules for aja-aja.com use, wave hello to the aja-aja.com women, and you are well on your way!

VERY true Sonam and langdon, The Rose's lead dude Wang is NOT watchable if u regard what he's doing as 'acting', he's in a 'league' of his own. DH at least tried. Ella was just spitting out lines like in some highsch play.. she and sadly the gorgeous muscle-bot WuZun are the reasons I can't sit thro 5 min of TWHanaKimi.... but Joe Cheng made it all up and more. and it is earnest and know its 'stance'. They r doing a spot on craptastic shoujo, Like a working girl in cakey makeup with a heart of 14Kgold.

You know ockoala, Joe's Kui is way more what the writer fantasizes her Kui could be. He's not only nailed it, he gave it flesh and blood and dimensions and perfect yonsama shampoo CF do. With the same do and the same robe, he can change his sexual orientation fr scenes to scenes in all fluid flamboyant way. JIS would be soo sooo envious as well.

It's just when watching TWdrama, it's always a very very good exercise of tolerance for me. To enjoy it in any degree I can't be critical about anything. It's longer, it's generally less stellar to hilariously bad acting, but it has great entertaining value. You really dun have to even THINK whether or not to check your brain at the door. Put on a shiny polyester frilly robe like Joe's Kui and just enjoy the ride.

ahhhh Roy Qiu... he's really Mike He with the acting chops. dreammyyyy

@83 mookie -

Hrrmmmm.... I dunno. I think the blind date guy + Samsoon could have worked out very well. Maybe, he was the 2nd best option that Samsoon SHOULD have gone for?

See, what happens, if 2 years down the road, Samshik has to decide between his family and Samsoon? If he chooses family, then Samsoon is left with nothing except the love of her life, breaking her heart, again.

Maybe the blind date guy isn't so awesome, maybe he's not a Binnie, but he seems to be a good guy, and in the long run, that might have been better for Samsoon than the tempermental Binnie, who kicked over her bike. *btw, I would NEVER kick over another person's bike. Binnie, as a guy, should have realized he crossed the line. Guys don't mess with another person's wheels. That's just something you don't do, and that makes Binnie kind of a punk.

@87 reluctantbutaddicted -

See, you aren't willing to give the cheating ex-bf another chance, but who is perfect in this world? Don't we all make mistakes? If the cheating ex-bf changes and matures and becomes a better person, then couldn't he be considered a catch for Samsoon?

1. He's good looking.
2. He's rich.
3. He and Samsoon have a long history together.

(kind of a critical point in the negative - Samsoon would have a VERY difficult time honoring and respecting the cheating ex-bf due to his history, and she should never marry someone she can't respect. It's a timebomb waiting to explode...Okay, I change my mind, cheating ex-bf is off the table. But, NOT for another woman. If cheating ex-bf becomes a better person, then I think he would be a tremendous catch, no?)

@99 cingdoc -

Bleh, I disagree. hehe! I think the cheating ex-bf was trying to have his cake and eat it too, but he's not a blind fool. I think he did really like Samsoon at the end - seriously, why not? She's tremendously charming and attractive. A little bit annoying at times, but that's 1000x better than being an airhead or being self-absorbed or selfish.

But here's the thing, and this is for everyone. Why is "settling" always the wrong thing? Can't it be possible that in this day and age, being able to be with someone that you respect, like and enjoy being with, and vice versa, almost like 80% of a successful relationship? I mean, how many marriages end in divorce because all there was, was a hormonal connection with no maturity or compatibility?

If Binnie and Samsoon finally get married, but Samsoon is never accepted into Binnie's family, then how much more difficult did she make Binnie's life, and vice versa? And what if they separate after a while? Was it worth it then?

I'm just saying - I want Samshik and Samsoon to be together, but they gotta understand the consequences, and it isn't always that waiting on the perfect guy will lead to long term happiness...

@108 ockoala -

Yeap.

@115 kdxmel

You are watching MNIKSS, CH and Dalja Spring at the same time? That's like 3 of my 6 favorite dramas of all time! All you gotta do is squeeze in Coffee Prince, Bad Family and HGD and then you can just stop right there - that's all you need to see.... unless You're Beautiful evolves from a trendy awesome smash hit... into an epic drama of legendary proportions... Oh, how silly of me, I seem to have left out another dozen must-see dramas.... lol.. never mind. Just keep watching. It's endless.

I'm int he middle of watching Episode 2 of You're Beautiful and I had to pause and get this off my chest: Why, oh why does she keep going into his room? No one is that naive. No good can come of this!

@ 133 Samsooki

I take your point re cheatin' ex's potential for growth, and thus suitability for another woman on whom he doesn't cheat, but I didn't see that in his character at the end. I didn't see that he'd matured particularly. Whereas Samshik had, clearly.

Basically, it's hard for me to justify the 'settling' option when there's no reason someone as resourceful and alive as Samsoon could not live a rich and full life single, should that be the way things turn out. "Settling" would be saying, 'this is as good my life's ever going to get, better grab this while it's going', whereas choosing Samshik is an expression of optimism, belief in herself and him, and, I think, a clearly open-eyed choice (she recognizes that his family might never accept her; though that doesn't mean Samshik will discard her b/c of his family... it's a stand-off for the moment). So for me her choice of Samshik over 2nd best guy is a statement of her acceptance that uncertainty and the possibility of best-case happiness which may result in remaining single is as good a life if not better than just scraping along with a nice guy just to get married. It's what is happening in practice in many Asian societies, Korea among them, increasingly, especially among educated urban women, and Samsoon is the personification of that trend. It's a life without needless self-sacrifice due to fear of singlehood, not a life without love. And I like and respect her for that.

And given how much Samshik had matured by the end, it would be hard for me to imagine him lacking the backbone that might eventually be necessary to stand up to his family.

You're Beautiful :

The comments on this OT persuaded me to watch the first two episodes (last night and this morning) and you guys were right, it is looking very good indeed. Made me laugh several times, with little foreshadowing (I love the surprise laugh moment). So I'm with was it ockoala or langdon813? I'll be keen to watch this one week-by-week with all of you. But will I be able to stand the suspense?

@137, cingdoc

TEAM PARK KYU!!!

Enjoy the last 3 eps! I miss the Island so much. I can't wait for the DVD in all its full, 20-episode glory.

And yes, get ready to yell at your laptop just a little bit more! And cry, laugh, sigh, and swoon...all the usual Tamra activities!

@139, cingdoc

Episode 11 is when I started to notice the editing, but it does get pretty glaringly obvious in the last 3 episodes (the very ones you're about to watch).

Not to say that they didn't do a great job, I really think they did. Because so much had already been filmed when word came that it would be cut, within the short time frame they were given to do it I think the editors did the best they could.

It's just going to be really nice to have never-before-seen footage to fill in the blanks. Plus, more Park Kyu could never be a bad thing. :-D

Just one observation about Hong Gil Dong so far tonight. There's a song that recurs throughout some of the action scenes and it cracks me up. It's like the Korean version of Motley Crue's "Girls, Girls, Girls" or something. I have no clue who it is or what the song is actually called, but when I hear it I immediately start imagining leopard-print spandex, big 80's hair, and guys wearing a lot of makeup. Probably NOT what they were going for, huh?

About halfway through Ep 14 so far. Still loving every minute!

OK everyone *drum roll* I finally got a CH banner after hitting refresh so many times (trying to get reservations at momofuku ko was easier). Whoa! I can't believe such a little thing would excite me so much!!! I feel like I hit the jackpot.

I'm kind of sad to see Sons of Sol Pharmacy ending but not for what people might think. Someone on this board came up with the unbelievably fun to say nickname Bokifer last week and now the show is ending and I'm sad I won't have a reason for using Bokifer anymore so I have to try and use it as much as possible.

-Bokifer grow a spine already and say you detest the not-so-handsome-decoy-doctor-who-looks-strangely-better-with-the-emo-glasses-since-it-covers-up half his face and that you cringe everytime he touches you
-Bokifer I'm glad they stopped playing that annoying song every time your scenes come on
-Bokifer I can't believe you wore that fugly dress to the red carpet.

I feel better already.

Watched Creating Destiny....I will say it has the appearance of being too long for me but I will keep my opinion high. I think it has potential but not as funny and punchy as I'd like for it to be. Too much time with the older family members but hopefully that will dissipate as the story continues...
Overall, I think that it will be fun after we(all) get to Korea...

Any thoughts?

So I watched You're Beautiful and I'm instantly taken by how good Jang looks in there! I was completely turned off by his image posted here a month ago (what's with the eyeliner, oh wait, idol drama nevermind). But seeing him act is a real surprise. The man can act. He's not too over-the-top like his other band members and he somehow manages to make his cold and aloof persona endearing to watch. You know the ice-man is just going to melt soon in front of our heroine! And Park Shin Hye is so adorable, innocent, and sweet you just can't help but smile whenever she's on the screen. This is definitely going on my weekly watch list!

@Samsooki -
Nope, I meant that I'd finished watching MNIKSS, CH, Full House, MFL to name a few all within the past couple months. And they all contained one too many heartbreaking moments that just culminated to my current refusal to finish DJS. I know, it's silly, but not knowing what happens next, I just can't bear to watch DJ and TB go through another heartbreak, which is what I assume will happen. Of the other 3 you mentioned, I watched CP too (another of my top favs), but never saw Bad Family or HGD. Based on yours and quite a few people here HGD seems to be interesting so I might check it out. Thanks!

@135 reluctantbutaddicted, *clapclapclap* I could not have said it half as good.

@Samsooki, is 2nd best option ever real in love?! it's an oxymoron for me. there's no consolation prizes to win, it's not a competition that placing second have a significance. He's not the one, SO....he's not the one. We can't possibly give up the best in fear of the unknown down the road in 2, 3, 4, 5+ years. Samsoon has been through some growth herself thro out the drama, @ the namsan ride, she was a firm believer in having a partner in life to cross the Atlantic with no matter what, but later on, we saw she climbing Hallu Mt herself, for herself, set the goal to lose that extra pounds she wanted to for herself alone w/ nth to do with the pervie Samshik. And how she persisted on the name change. I think this holds true for many single ladies these days.. what you are suggesting is 'settling' and the more mature, confident and independent we r as we get older, the less tolerable that notion will be. We saw samsoon giggling like a high sch girl when samshik did random nice gestures. We only saw her smile politely to that blind date guy's pleasantries.

I really won't call what the ex felt towards Samsoon love. He's too dense and selfish and the only person he's capable of loving is himself. He's been going mememememe till the end of the drama. I'm not going to give any power to his 'words' (or bs). His actions spoke way louder. I'm not saying he's rotten to the core, he's assertive, he's physically attractive, can say sweet things, there is a frankness to him, and he knows himself very well. Yes, he said he's 'loved her but that love has faded' and thus ciao!.... but don't forget Samsoon is not born to be some clingy stalker, she's tried many means to just contact him without luck for a month, and it's CHRISTMAS EVE and he's not even human enough to send her a word all this time... and thus in desperation, she followed him to the hotel, caught him compromised with another woman. HE accused her of 'y the stalking?!' If it's really as he said so, he could be a man, grew some testicles and broke it off, tactlessly over the phone, an email, I don't care...but he did not even bother. And how thick a skin to do all his subsequent shenanigans? He just loved the feeling of gloating in having a 'gullible' samsoon to worship him, boast his ego, even when she's moved on, he did not show any signs of waking up, never once he's thought in her shoes, be one tiny bit considerate, if he did care one tiny bit for samsoon, y would he suggest her taking him back WHILE he's still dead set to marry CR ?!!? (he's all scared when samsoon called CR at the bar ep11) Also, their relationship has never been equals, he regarded her as his inferior, he's stepped all over her, and I bet he's instilled a lot of her low opinions esp on her looks in her. He's always made her feel small. Samsoon would be sooo MAD with herself if she even thought of him redeemable, he is a cheater, still is and that is one big nono, is there any hint or basis on him having any hope of changing?! y should samsoon or all us gals gave a blatant (almost proud of himself) cheater a chance?! because he's 1.good looking, 2. rich, 3. have history?! This is not diff fr encouraging a victim to stay in an abuse relationship. What history did they really share?! Samsoonie was hurt with him treating her like a 'kept' woman, she's never met his family, his dear ones, she didn't know him at all, and that dude did not even start to understand BIZARRE. He's one of those good on paper scumbags. Yeah, so should we be open to the thought of samsoon being coerced into being his mistress just because he's rich/cute/spent some time tog?!?

sorry for the rant. in all honesty the ex was there for comic relief as one big jerk so samsoon has a b8tch to beat up fr time to time.

I've been a regular visitor of DB for years now. But I'm a silent reader and OMO knows that I only speak up once the name Kim Sun Ah is mentioned. I read Open Threads to get drama recommendations but I never participated until the City Hallers invade Friday OTs. *waves*. But I went back to lurking as I/we wait for the next City Hall Recap installment (plus the fact that I've been busy with work). Last week though I noticed that some actually watched WIAN (really???) and a few were discussing them last week. I want to join in, but I was very late so I decided to wait until this week's OT. I'm actually a bit late now as well, but how can I let this pass? lol Especially when some of you guys are discussing MNIKSS?! I never expected reading about MNIKSS on OTs. You guys makes me want to blow-off the dust on my MNIKSS DVD and watch it right this very moment. *^^*

----------------------------------------
ON WIAN

It's not "that" bad, was it? :p
Plot is so-so; Characterization is down the drain... *sad*
Initially Heo Cho Hee is supposed to be a feisty-sexy officer of the Cultural Heritage Administration. I was picturing KSA ala Lara Croft opposite the hot playboy LDG. But it seems like I saw Samsoon's 3rd sister (if she have any). I read once that it was KSA who pointed out that the original characterization of Cho Hee is unrealistic, thus the change. However, as many people pointed out, they see Cho Hee underneath Samsoon's shadow. What they did to avoid Samsoon, they slowly turned the initially strong and smart Cho Hee to a helpless cry-baby. Pick a later episode and compare it to Cho Hee on Ep 1 or 2 and it seems like they are 2 different people.
Plus the fact that KSA was injured in the middle of filming - which resulted to the hospital scenes of Cho Hee and less and less chase/fighting scenes for her.
For the romance part, it's such a pity! Coz I really think that KSA and LDG's chemistry is so sexy and hot (ok, this is prior to KSA-CSW pairing). Final episode was such a disaster, but after reading the supposed-to-be final episode script, there were 3 romantic sequences that was not filmed. Maybe the director thinks it's not needed anymore. Well, it doesn't seem like they can still save WIAN, I could have been happier if those 3 sequences were included.
At the end of the day, I can still say I enjoy it. I even dreamed of Cho Hee and Bum Sang a few times. :p I can re-watch it once in a while too (like ONCE in a while).

----------------------------------------

on MNIKSS

MNIKSS would always and forever be SPECIAL and will always have a special place in my heart. I'm glad that after 4 years I was able to find another drama to enjoy and to love - CIty Hall - maybe as much - maybe even more. But still MNIKSS IS MNIKSS and WILL ALWAYS BE MNIKSS. lol

----------------------------------------
I'm still stuck with CITY HALL and I don't know how I can move on... Had 2 marathons in the last 4 weeks - that's A LOT considering my work schedule.
But now that I'm done with my latest re-watch of City Hall, I have tons of to-watch while waiting for CH's Director's Cut DVD before the year ends.

TO RE-WATCH:

MNIKSS - right away! I suddenly miss samsoonie and samshikie

HIT - i was still a bit new to kdramas when I first watched it and i love it despite the fact that i watched a bootleg copy with incomprehensible subs. (this drama made me into a subber) so i'm excited to watch it again with proper subs.

WIAN - this is my ONCE in a while - honestly, haven't watched it in full after subbing it. i'm quite excited though - just to see KSA opposite LDG again and to enjoy Park Ki Woong's cuteness and to crush on Lee Joo Hyun again.

BAD COUPLE - i find Gi Chan and Dang Ja cute and I miss the music! Love the OST (ok, honestly I miss the cute Kim Hyang Ki more)

LOVERS IN PARIS - erhm... just thinking i might enjoy it more if i try to watch it again, since I became an Eun Sook fan after-all (wish me luck!)

TO FINISH WATCHING:
Soul (watched raws until ep8)
World's Within (forwarded everything, i just need to watch it once and for all - for a friend's request)
Lovers (until ep4)
On Air (until ep3)
La Dolce Vita (ep1)

TO WATCH:
Mermaid Story
Bad Family
Sand Glass
Flowers For My Life
Que Sera Sera
Story of a Man

GAVE UP:
LAST SCANDAL *sigh* no matter how good - no, excellent, CJS is, i just can't stand watching her (yup, even before her death)
BRILLIANT LEGACY i just can't no matter how i love LSK - maybe i'll pick it up sometime in the not-so-near-future