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I really wish I look more bitchy and dangerous sometimes instead of looking young, asian, friendly, trustworthy, and four-eyed! I definitely have a clean-cut look.
I always get stopped for help ("can you watch my stuff?") or for money! UGH!! I got stopped today for money. A couple had stopped me with this sad story about how this mess they're in and how the wife had come to the city to get treated for kidney disease, but then something happened (i think his sister was supposed to pick them up but she's stranded because of the hurricane) and now they're stranded and need money for the commuter rail and their credit card is maxed out from treatments. They had like a hospital folder and stuff and a train schedule. I hate situations like these. The cynical part of me goes "who the eff are you kidding? Don't eff with me!!! Sell your effing wedding bands if you need money!" and then I also worry that they're in real trouble and the good Samaritan thing to do would be to help right? Wouldn't karma just kick me in the butt for being heartless by stranding me somewhere one day, alone, sick, in the rain, and without anyone available to come get me? I ended up giving them $3 out of the $15 they needed. But I can't stop thinking about it. Was I acting like a soulless bastard today or a naive chump (like those kdrama heroines I get frustrated with when they get ripped off)?? I've definitely been tricked before.
Has anyone here ever been stranded somewhere before and have to ask random people on the street for money?
Hi, you're awesome!
Dont think that your generosity is a "ripped off" because at the time you wanted to give. Dont overthink, you must have felt some joy in giving and helping others.
There are scammers out there sadly. I just tell myself whatever I give I ask nothing in return so I wont feel burdened. So whatever they do with it, its their choice.
I completely agree with Jae.
I've had pretty much the same kind of experience once. A mother holding her infant child came to me outside my campus which happens to be near a public hospital and asked me for some money because she just spent all her money to pay for her child's hospital bill and didn't have any money left to pay for the medicine and for the bus fare. I remember I was carrying a bunch of books and stuff that day and was so annoyed by this woman and instantly thought that she was just trying to trick me...so I ignored her and went by. And you know what ? I regret what I did until today. I kept thinking why I had been so heartless and selfish just because I was tired and carrying heavy stuff. What if they were really in trouble. I could just give her some money. So, I'm glad that you didn't do like I did, because it will feel so much better when you give and help others. Like Jae said, don't think too much. If they just want to trick you, it's their loss.
You are awesome indeed.
If you give, you will feel good about yourself for helping a fellow human being. If you don't give, you will always feel guilty afterwards even if you doubt their story. BUT, the way I see it, if they are scammers and they tricked you into giving your hard-earned money to help them out in their sob story, isn't that their problem and not yours? You gave out of the goodness of your heart, whatever they do with your charity and concern, is their problem. And the blessing you give out will never return to you empty. That is the rule in life.
Even though I don't feel good at all about giving to random people on the streets (I prefer to give to charities and even the homeless dudes who open doors for me when I go get a donut or buy a candy bar), I guess I would feel more guilty and regretful if I didn't give anything at all.
If they really were in trouble, I hope they managed to find another $12 for their fare. I only gave them $3 because I felt it was sort of a compromise between not getting ripped off and getting ripped off (though a true compromise would have been $7.50).
I do wonder....this is the third or fourth 'I'm stranded' line I've ever heard in my life and the most detailed. How often do people get stranded like that in real life?
@asianromance
Hi ~If you were my child, I'd be so proud of you. Your compassionate heart shines through and people seek you out. I hope you see your goodness & kind ways come back to you ten-fold in the future in different ways. Karma. Stay the same great person you are! We need more young folks like you in this world. :)
You're indeed very kind and compassionate. May you never change. I think when your heart tell you to do a good thing you'd better do it at once without thinking too much about it. However, someone told me there's only a slight difference between a good guy and a fool guy. I used to give hand out to those people who were begging for money until a famous guy told a story about his past working as a street vendor who had to watch how easy people gave their money to the beggars who didn't want to work because it's easier asking people for their money.
After that I stop giving money to beggars. I give to people who work hard but I know don't earn enough to live decently. There are many people who fall into this category around me. I think it's better if we don't give money to people who turn begging as their proffession. But, having said that it's you who have to decide whether those who come to you for help are the genuine ones. If you're in doubt it's bettre to help. Because regret is something that one shouln't experience particularly when it comes to not doing a good thing.
I'm curious if you're fairly new to a city, because sometimes people just naturally fall in the doe-eyed category because they're fresh faced. City dwellers just exude (unfortunately) cynicism after many long years of being dogged down by pan-handlers. There's a kind of look or way about going things, but I notice when I'm in a differnet city it doesn't work as well.
I'm not saying everyone who asks for a favor is out to rip you off, but they've pretty much taken it to an art in my city. I've seen do gooder friends try to supply food and have it literally thrown away in front of them because they just wanted "money". But in times of need I have helped grandmothers on trains, people trying to buy passes, or walked in an opposite direction so someone could get to their destination. If they're out to cheat, I hope they feel disgusted about it.
So my last year in college started a few weeks ago and I already know this semester is going to be a crazy one - grad school apps, scholarship apps, essays, biochemistry TA stuff, research lab, conferences, poster presentation, senior honors thesis, GRE, etc!! I'm so thankful for My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show) otherwise I know I'd never let myself relax. Gonna work on my Statement of Purpose and give Playful Kiss a try this weekend too. To all the students out there, good luck and have a wonderful year :)
I watched MGIAG, PK and will watch SS ep1 since GOESS already release the first sub. I don't mind people keep giving bad comments about PK after they watched the show but for some people, can they just DON'T comment if they even not watch it? geezz
@isabelh
The Way Home is simply a classic, and definitely rewatchable, it has so much heart.
Oooh, Moment to Remember? Good film, that. Loved the two actors in it, but role-wise much prefer SYJ in The Classic and JWS in Daisy, heh. (OMG, JWS in Daisy!!!)
@epyc
Oh, thank you hun. I must own it on DVD too, I'm going to treasure it for life.
And hey, Lee Sung-min is in Gloria too. Can't remember what his character is in it, Suh Ji-suk's dad? Or Lee Chun-hee's gangster overlord or something. *scratches head* Either way, he is amazeballs in Silk Shoes.
I wouldn't even mind watching Gloria for him alone.
And the little old man? You seen Shin-goo as the Grandpa in Thank You? Oh, he was great but he ain't got no'ing on this guy, just wait till you see this guy. You'll be blubbering wreck and not even realise you are one until later. Or maybe not. But I know I was one.
Maybe you should watch this after you've watched Giant, or halfway though the series or something, as you might not get the sentimental significance of Silk Shoes, as in the folk song and the pair he carries around with him, without it?
Either way, would love to know what you think of it once you've seen it, and of course, whenever that may be.
Thanks for the movie tip; I've just put in a request for The Classic at the library; unfortunately Daisy & Silk Shoes are not available there; will keep looking elsewhere.
Thank you! Yes, do please give me some recommendations. I did find Silk Shoes, but Daisy was with French subtitles, which I can read, but they do slow me down.
It's best watched for some amazing acting and breathtaking scenes. Maaaybe not for a light and fluffy watch. Hope you'll enjoy and love it as much as me.
Lee Sung Min is one of the musicians in Gloria's nightclub. He's also the restaurant manager in Pasta - a very good comedian. I have the vibe that Silk Shoes will be something I like.... watch this space.
I'm currently in Seoul - in fact watched the premier of Playful Kiss on the night I arrived, couldn't watch Ep 2 due to a business function, then caught a glimpse of Giant today during its rerun (and LBS is just a magnet commanding the screen: his presence is felt whenever he's in a scene), and I watched Gloria live tonight!! Will leave tomorrow unfortunately, otherwise I will go watching Lee Byung-hun's new movie and Won Bin's Adjussie. Should come here for holiday one day.
Oh goodness, yes! The manager from hell in Pasta, with the shiny suits.
After watching the clip I've turned into a big, fat, glowball of giggly squealiness.
Guess, I'll have to pick up Gloria again.
Sandglass was my designated weekend watch, I've even almost finished the series but I really can't handle it at this moment. Certainly no saintly heroes to be seen here, nor is there any glossing over, it's simply stark and miserable, gritty reality.
So, it's Gloria episode 3 I'm downloading right now.
You're in Seoul? Lucky you! So you're not there for leisure purposes but you get to see kdrama, liiive!
I have to share my funny/gross incident with everone...so I left work late but it was still very light at 6.30pm. The walk back to my car takes me through this secluded mountainous-back-alley (those 24 steps are my daily work-out) Getting back to the incident, I happened upon a guy doing his toilet business against the wall. I didn't see anything, just heard the lovely hissing noise. Previously, I've have come across this at a safe distance. The thing that struck me at the time though was the pervert-flasher scene from Playful Kiss and so I laughed (out loud) but then I realised the dude had finished and was walking next to me. Yeah, I should have been walking briskly but hell I had a light lunch. Sadly, I didn't get a free strip-show - kidding, so gross!!
I'm watching the last two episodes of Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi on tv (The Legend of the 1st Kings Four Gods) and seriously it still makes me tear up, especially the part where all the monks of Geomul village get slaughtered and that one guy comes and is crying seeing them all dead. I was choking up at that part. I still get pissed when I think about the second half of the final episode, if only we could have a redo.
I would love a redo too! The second part of the last episode felt incomplete and fragmented. I think the series was supposed to be a bit longer, but then BYJ had suffered many injuries while filming that to do any more may permanently injure BYJ. Injuries to his finger, shoulders, knees, and spine! He had put off going to the hospital until the entire series was filmed. It's crazy what actors can go through! Makes me wonder if doing their 2 years of service may be more of a vacation than work.
Actually I also sort of want a redo of the Sujini scenes in the last 2 episodes because I felt they had made her really spiritless.
wow...I knew he had gotten hurt but not this degree. Perhaps thats why the prolonged absence?! some serious healing and recuperation.
I agree that that Sujini had become less Sujini-like....at first I thought as a 'disguise' long hair and cover up the feistyness. Like a cover...but still..
I agree, it was as if a soft landing took place with the sujini character...out of the blue. This was my first intro to BYJ and I loved him in this drama...The twist at the end with the sisters and the bow was interesting.
Does anyone have any Kdrama recommendations. I want to watch a drama with my husband. Something that is not too long and has some action in it. I must have a few hunks in it for me too. Any suggestions?
Hi Dramabeans:
it's Friday but the friday before labor day. Too bad my last friday before the madness starts in september.
however, i have these dramas to watch through this expected difficult days.
I just finished watching Playful kiss. I loved episode 2 though episode 1 was just so so.
I heart MGIAG. Glad it would be with me for 4 more weeks. I heart this week's ep 7. thanks for all your recaps.
btw, when are you recapping Playful Kiss? i know i m selfish... Enjoy your weekend.
Very busy week.... Biochem and Farmacology will be the death of me... hmmm...
As I was reading the comments, I saw that a couple of them commented on how Lee Seung Gi wasn't attractive to them, and I have to say that I sort of understand. I didn't really like him in Shining Inheritance, it wasn't until I saw him in 1N2D and Kang Shim Jang that I began to understand how adorable his smile is, and I began to appreciate his cutenesss ^^
@46.2 ockoala Yeah I also don't get what the whole big deal the Netizen's have made of this, they are being very ridiculous, especially since it's very clear that he did go to Stanford. I also worry a lot about how he and his family must be feeling especially since he now has a little one to take care of on top of all this stress.
Playful Kiss just became my guilty pleasure. Oh Ha Ni is so adorable! Baek Seung Jo is so dreamy (I confess to having a crush on Shillang). Pretty much all the casts are all lovable in their little quirks.
I love the whole manga feel...and the little cartoons that are inserted.
I startled the my family with my bouts of laughter during the flasher scene...
As to the dismal ratings --pfffftttt! PK Hwaiting!
Oh, good, I didn't want to be the only one laughing out loud at the quirks and liking the 'feel' of the show. And so much hate has been written, it felt uncomfortable to say, "I'm quite liking this little show."
Yeah, I like all the previous incarnations for various reasons (as well as having a nitpick with each for various reasons), but I saw enough chemistry between the leads and funny cute moments to keep me watching.
Also, there was a total "awww" moment, which I won't mention so as not to be a spoiler, but it melted my heart and that's gonna keep me watching during the lagging parts, if they come!
I will not deny that in this world “Gender Inequality” does exist, so once we agree upon that “Fact” than the question becomes one of degrees.
1- At what point does the scales become “equal”?
2- Is there a way to quantize “equality” when it comes to “Gender Issues ”?
3- Are one society more prone to 'Gender Bias” than others?
4- And one of the most important of them all; Are the genders “universally equal” to begin with?
5- The “Male Role” in bringing about a more realistic equilibrium.
6- Personal responsibility and the “weaker sex” mentality.
Since we all here take “Asian Dramas” seriously to a certain extant, than we can say that whatever the “place of origin” than that's how it should be judge by.
But we encounter a small problem when we try to take a look at this problem from that point of view, since we know that in “Theory” it sounds “Self Affirming”, “Thou and I are Homologous”, but in practice we are truly “Two Worlds” apart.
Now I was about to write an essay on “Gender Equality/Inequality” base on what I, a male Mexican/American living in “America (USA)” views on this issue are, but than by looking at some of my above questions, I realized since the “Audience” at “DramaBeans”, spans the “Four Corner” of the world I do not think that I can properly address this issue other than give a few toughs, and then allowed some of you to give your toughs, and since most of the readers here are comprise of the “Nicest Lady's” in this side of cyberspace, than I feel that I could better understand this issue.
P.S This questions where “Inspired” by reading the comments that a lot of you have posted concerning “Gender Issues” that are being develop in the dramas like in (I am legend, Gloria, My girlfriend is a Gumiho, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Giant, Playful kiss, just to mention a few!
1- Well my answer to this question should be “When all people are treated equally”, but since some of the gender biases are ingrain in the way society is run, I am afraid that is going to take maybe another “one to two hundred years”. Man! But that really is a long time, here in the USA we are not even ready to have a “Woman President” yet! I feel that Hilary Clinton would have been a better choice for “President” than Mr. Obama, (IMHO).
2- I have always have a hard time with this one because “Man and Woman” for all intended purposes when it comes to “intellectual achievements ” both genders have always excel, the only argument that can be made is the physical make up of “boy's and girls”, boys have more “muscle mass” than girls but, that should not be a deterrent for keeping woman from some specific jobs, e.g. (fireman, combat soldiers, police officers, construction workers etc.)
3- In some society’s, “Female Infanticide “is still in practice, still suffer from “Sexual Subjugation”, “Citizenship” can only be granted by the “Father”, “Custody Rights” belong to the father, they are greater “Victims of Violence”, “Deny the Right to travel” (must be accompany by male companion with Familial ties), the are deny the access to “Education”, the are deny the right to “Divorce”, they must “Adhere to a strict clothing requirements”, they are “Forbidden to drive”, Do I need to say more?
4- I will answer this question with out the intend to “offend no ones religion”, having say that; If we where to to study “Gender Equality” trough the eyes of the “Historical Jesus” not the not the one preach in many “Modern Churches”, we will find that indeed the “Historical Jesus” is one of few “Religious Leaders” who fought for the “Equal rights of Woman”, the reality is that most people have never really read the “New Testament” so it is very easily to paint and portray the “Historical Jesus” as a “woman hater and a bigot', which the record clearly shows that he was “Neither of both”.
5- I as a “Male” have been guilty as charge, and I must admit that at times I have not been the best, “Father, Son, Brother, Husband, and Friend” to woman.
I have been an abusive Husband at times I have been and “absentee” Father, I have pursue woman just for “Sexual Fulfillment” and lie in the process to get what I wanted, I was the overbearing, and obnoxious “older brother” at times, and last but not least I was my Mom's “Worst Headache” growing up. Having say that, at this point in my life I can say that I am almost 100% at peace with all the “Females” in my life.
6- I learn a “Real Fact” at a young age; “Woman are not the weaker sex” neither “Mentally, Physically, or Spiritually” that is a “Myth” that “Weak Man” created in order to “control woman”, but it is not “Good Enough” for me to tell you how “Beautiful you are” when you do not diet! Or how “Intelligent” you really are, and “Capable” you are at what you do, or the fact that “You can accomplish anything, and let me be very clear “Anything” you set your mind to accomplish, but the “Greater” fact of the matter is the “You” need to believe that “Whole Hardheartedly” for that to come to pass.
By the way “You are all of that” the even if you do not believe it just yet!!!!!!!!
TGIF! My first week of Senior year has officially ended! I think I would be confident in keeping up with my classes plus preparing for college applications, but I've realized how freakin hard AP Calculus is gonna be for me. My teacher is one of those types who if he knows you work hard in his class, he'll pass you with at least a C. But I would be soo happy if I could get a B in AP Cal. I'm really aiming for that and I really want to pass the AP exam so I can have the least amount of math as possible in college. But I'm also a major drama addict. How does everyone handle their drama addiction, but also get school work and everything done? Any tips?
For those of you in the U.S. yey, happy labor day weekend! Yess, I've got Monday off ;D
Sungkyunkwan Scandal: Yoon-hee's “I don’t think that Joseon is such a great nation.” Wow.
I'm counting days and hours for S-scandal ep3 , addicted to Sun-joon's wisdom on social rights and his flat sternness acting. He's not even that good looking (my taste), how come I miss him on screen? O_O!!
K, I am finally out of the oddball drama doldrums completely. For a while there I was reviewing older stuff to fill in the time and gaps left because I had a serious lack of interest in what was out there. Wow what 6 weeks can do. It was almost every week I added a new drama to the list of watchables. Now I am fully booked and I don't think I can add anymore. This is making me happy!
In no order my list is below.
Is anyone else finding themselves completely booked and happy?
HnH2, Natsu no Koi, Joker
Zong Wu Yan
I Am Legend, MGiaG, Dong Yi, SS, Secret Investigation Record
ok. i gave in and watched PK this weekend. it's cute and i like it so far :) JSM is really adorable and fun to watch, KHJ is pretty tolerable, and LTS is endearing as Duckie haha. Looking forward to the rest of this series.
(Technically, it was just U-Know and Xiah, but what an entrance. The lights go out, and there's a lengthy silence and then there's a buzzing sound and then you hear U-Know's whisper " . . . we are dobanshinki. . . " And a crowd that had already been shrieking for a good 2 hours goes into Def Leppard levels of hysteria . . . Oh, that must have been me.
Straight from a WWE event, U-Know and Xiah arrived by crane FROM THE CEILING OF STAPLES CENTER, as if they were quite literally Heavenly Gods that had descended down to grace us with the miraculous presence. And after what seemed like 2 full minutes, they finally touch down onto the stage and proceed to wipe everybody off. The charisma, the fierceness of the choreography, the white suits, the vocal power. The crowd was so stunned and DBSK came with such power that their energy literally carried the rest of the night.)
Quickie assessments:
1) Shinee -- Got the 2nd loudest pop among all boy bands, and overall were probably the most consistent. They were consistently good, and they seemed poised to carry SM for at least the next few years.
2) Heechul -- J-rock is so much in his soul that it makes you wonder why he continues with SuJu. He and his violinist ended up kissing, to the fangirl approval of the crowd, and besides he gave good Gackt with his solo rock tune. if Heechul and Miyavi hook up, I hope they use tongue. ;)
3) SuJu -- Good in places (and Choi Si Won's body . . . ), but felt sloppy. They seemed to get by in places with obligatory fan service rather than giving 120%.
4) SNSD -- Got a lot of love from the boys, as the shrieks were replaced by a rather alto roar and sing-along. Oh Oh Oh got a bigger pop than Genie, perhaps because it's easier to sing along to. Their choreography was tight, and they did a good job engaging the audience. Best of all, Fany gave some love to her hometown audience and especially the Lakers.
5) Trax -- Mixed feelings about their change of style. As a soft rock ballader unit, the singing and musicality was almost without peer for much of the night. But, their heart is still in their Taji-informed nu-metal. They were good, and they did a good job keeping a up-and-down SuJu (colloboration) engaged.
6) Lee Yeon Hee -- Remember her? She was Grace-uh from East of Eden. Remember her uhhh "memorable" singing performance in EofE? Well, this time around, she ended up doing a ballad fully in English, and showed off a vastly improved and expressive singing voice. It was really good!
7) F(X) -- Hmm. Is Krystal the leader of the group? Because she really asserted herself throughout the performance, as if she was the solo artist and they were her backup. They started out a little hedgy, but by the 2nd half of the night (artists rotated with each other, so their songs spread out through the night), they were showing flashes of a female Shinee.
8) Kangta. Felt like an afterthought, and I kinda felt bad for him. He would be better served at the Korean Music Festival, which catered to a wider age range.
9) BOA. Haven't seen BOA in a few years, and definitely not in a venue like this before. And it's kind of strange, because I felt even though she got a huge pop with the audience, there wasn't the same connection. (A technical problem probably didn't help.) Even though Hurricane Venus is a hit, it's still 5 long years since Boa's last K-pop, and you could feel some distance between her and the audience. Also, she spoke with the audience in only English, which was great, but also a contrast between her and the rest of the SM artists, who mostly conversed in Korean. Having said that, BOA now recalls less of a Britney Spears now and more of an Aaliyah. Her B-Girl cred is so in her blood now that her detailed and still hip-hop choreography is executed with a stunning casualness that no other K-pop female singer can remotely approach.
Overall Assssment:
SMTown 2010 LA (sold out!) kicked ass. Seeing half of DBSK kicked amazing ass. 4 hours of 20,000 fangirls screaming into tone deafness. Instead of one group doing their set at a time, they had almost a random playlist of tunes with one group after another seamlessly following up after the other was finished. This was both exhilirating and exhausting; you didn't want to leave your seat because you weren't sure who or what song will follow up. The logistics were so well done, and the large screens did a pretty good job capturing the action for the balcony people.
They had a middle platform, similar to your U2s and Rolling Stones (and you may have seen it during the SBS Inkigayo Festival) to connect with the audience. With groups like Suju and SNSD, this is ideal for them.
At least for me, it did feel like a watershed moment in K-pop. SMTown sold out Staples pretty easily, and in addition the vibe inside was just like any American superstar group act. It must have been exhausting for everybody.
Sounds cool. I'm a little preoccupied to not be up to date with music stuff (aside from 2NE1s comeback and seriously that Hyo-rin (? correct me if I'm wrong someone) in Sistar has quite the clear voice)
I feel weird about f(X).. there's something not going right with that group, I feel like they may not be as close as other groups (although Victoria seems pretty likable/easy to hang around with). It's a shame. Not everyone can be "leader" and why would it matter anyways, people talk about Yoona more than Taeyeon. (Over in Korea that is. Here? Well, it actually seems more balanced in SNSD favorites)
I wouldn't be surprised if BoA is forgetting some of her Korean, being in Japan all the time. I'm sure she wanted to speak in English as they are preforming in LA. Well, thanks for the review. Was there swag to be had? (T-shirts, glowsticks?)
Yeah, there were Ts and glowsticks up the ying-yang. (Much of the floor people were wearing pink shirts.)
It surprised me that Amber wasn't there for the f(x) gig, but then I remember that she was injured. And it seemed to me that Krystal was like the true front person of the group. She has the pipes, dancing, and "love me" charisma that goes with that. I think f(x) has talent, but they don't seem as "together" as some of their peers.
The thing that strikes me about Boa is that, in her way, she is kind of a fish out of water. Because she hadn't done K-pop for so many years, it felt like the crowd was responding more by reputation than by genuine connection.
You can tell everybody there goes onto Allkpop. When Trax did their "Oh My Goddess" song, which was released only a few days ago, there was a big pop.
Oh Belleza, haha. Maybe.. Luna is the shortest member of f(x) so it will be the hardest for her to reach the moon. . . !!! Or something. (If that helps) If you tried to quiz me about members of After School/4Minute/Kara I'd really become a giant failstorm...
Thanks for the post. From there on, I went on to many of Eric Clapton's songs. OMG. He is freaking awesome! Lol. I'm consoling myself for not being able to take a trip to LA this weekend... (I'm up in Idaho, doing teacher's assistant).
I'd better buy some of Clapton's music at itunes now.
I just finish watching the 2008 J-Dorama "Seigi no Mikata" with "Shida Mirai" and "Yamada Yu", this drama is base on the manga "Seigi no Mikata by Hijiri Chiaki", it deals with the relationship between 2 sisters, one the is "Self Center" and evil, and the younger sister that is always being taking advantage of by the evil older sister.
This is a Comedy with some romantics elements, one of the things that I like specially about J_Doramas as @belleza has stated before, is the fact that the romantic elements do not "Crowd" the over all pacing of the story line, our lead actress does not resolve her romantic dilemma till the last episode, but it was done in such an endearing way the one does feel let down, because the emphasis was not in the romance itself but in the way the characters grow trough the realization of falling in love!!!
Out of 10, I give this drama a 9.5.
Like I say before out of all the "Asian Dramas" J-Doramas hold a special place in my heart, I do not know what it is but they seems to always make easier sense than the other ones if that can be said!!!!
Even tough I am watching @5 of the current trendy K-Dramas the J-Doramas still a great part of all my drama watching!!!
"fact that the romantic elements do not “Crowd” the over all pacing of the story line, our lead actress does not resolve her romantic dilemma till the last episode, but it was done in such an endearing way the one does feel let down,"
Indeed. A reznoku is never really about two people, rather it's about the journey that two people walk, sometimes as partners and sometimes as a fated intersect. If it's an idol drama, that journey is usually a coming-of-age narrative, where one or both characters come out a much better, much wiser person due to the relationship. And this substantiates the romance beyond "well they they have good chemistry." If it's an office lady drama, there's often genuine personality differences that simply cannot be resolved through force of will or one party making nice.
@belleza, is there an equivalent "per se" in K-dramas for the "reznoku" format or is that only seen in the way Japanese approach there "writing/drama" production? As far I as I can remember 99% of all the K-Dramas I have seen there is always an "OTP" at the end of the drama!
"@belleza, is there an equivalent “per se” in K-dramas for the “reznoku” format or is that only seen in the way Japanese approach there “writing/drama” production?"
Really only if you watch movies, thanks to 3-act structure.
Alone in Love and Goodbye Solo are reasonably close to a J-dorama style. The former has an episodic structure and precise production style. The latter has uncertain characterization that clarifies and evolves through the drama. Return of Iljimae plays like a taiga with its "chapter" presentation, narration, background relationships, and camerawork.
Haven't made up my mind on White Tower/Shiroi Kyoto. If anything, to me, the adaptation more underlines differing perspectives on what makes drama work.
In my opinion, SHInee, DBSK and TRAX´s performances were the best. Perhaps it was because I was sitting at the section on the side of the stage and could only see the sides of the performers.
I love Super Junior, but the energy wasn`t there. They have been very busy recently with their own SS3 concert tour and individual schedules that I am starting to worry for some of the members´health. Siwon looked too thin and tired. But they didn´t disappoint and I got to see live and a few feet away my bias, Heechul.
For me, the greatest surprise of the evening was the singing performance by Kim Min Jong (Return of Iljimae, Hyena, May Called God and Athena, Goddess of War). I knew he was a singer, but I didn´t know he was part of the SM family.
I had a great time and hope that they´ll come to the USA soon.
Well, at least now I have my proof that it is not actually possible to die from jealousy. Seriously, if Siwon walked through my door right now, I would die. I would just give up and die, because life couldn't get any better.
Thanks for your account Lady Belleza. I loved reading about the concert. Since I'm all the way over on the Eastern Seaboard, this Korean bias toward the West Coast makes me sad.
What the heck goodies do we get on the East Coast? Y'all have:-
1) Gorgeous people, including hot Hollywood types. And California girls -- they're unforgettable. Daisy dukes, bikinis on top! 2) Awesome weather. Even when it's rainy and snowing, it's awesome. 3) Earthquakes. Earthquakes are so metal, yo! That shet is hardcore!!! 4) Kpop. Choi Siwon and Choi Minho (my two biases) were in LA this weekend. I wasn't. I almost cried. But I didn't. Because that would be lame. If SM Town would friggin' come to the East Coast, I'd be all over it, no matter where they were, because I have family in New York, in DC, and in Atlanta. SM Town? Pfft. SM Tools, more like. 5) ... Other stuff. :D
Ah, Giant. Last week and this week = best episodes of the series. Tomorrow, something I've been waiting for awhile. Seung-mo, sometimes you disappoint me, but then you come back and win me over.
Giant 33? Awesome.
After tonight there'll be only 16 episodes remaining and I'm scared out of my wits(!!) about how they'll approach the inevitable, y'know, that little thing hinted at the very end of the episode 34 preview. *cowers*
Damn, can we not have that extension, team Giant?
I'm not quite ready to see things get this ugly, yet.
And so you got your extension! Okay, I have yet to watch 34 yet. Things are already a Giant mess. (Oh, and they already dropped the tv trope of saying the title of the show within the show, it's ok show you had to at some point) I think if Jung Bo Suk doesn't win any awards for this show I will seriously throw something through my monitor. Fo reals.
Wooh! Moar Giant, moar, moar!
I agree, if JBS doesn't get a baeksang for THIS, yet Go Hyun-jung could get it for Mishil? What are those three words again? Aah, that's right: Heads Will Roll.
And hey, I read like aaages ago, that JBS won't have to wear his aging makeup again, since the last episode where he was required to wear it, is already in the can -- which'll make sense. Plus, tonight's episode (I'm about to watch and bracing myself) there's a Seong-mo scene which sounds exactly like that one described in an article where they said Kim Soo-hyun went to visit him on set, and that was being filmed about a MONTH ago. That should hopefully indicate how far in advance they're filming. But I guess there'll be a lot of wriggling around now since they have an additional 10 episodes to work their material into. Seriously dude, that's a good thing. Plus I'd hate if they didn't put much thought into the Jun-mo character and rushed through his parts.
Is Jung-mo going to be an after thought or what. Because that was one of the main reasons I was okay with the extension. Also, plot points are still moving at pretty good speed considering all the other 50 episode shows I've watched (maybe they need to be more about revenge, less about family togetherness)
Dude, given what we've seen so far of how the writer works, it seems Jun-mo will be an important character. He simply has to be, remember how much teen Gang-mo cried (and cried and cried) over him promising he'd come back for him? Plus again, the illustrations in the opening credits? Spoileriffic!!
Those illustrations were pretty symbolic, here's an example of just three:
An unaware JY (Nam Ji-hyun) who walks ahead and has Kyeongok stood behind her whilst she's half enshrouded in the shadows, geddit?
A barefoot MJ practically lying at MW's feet, while he holds a gun with one hand and holds her hand with the other? (I think you've seen that one, and it's like the third big image that assails you.)
And Jun-mo is in it twice, both as a mysterious silhouette of a young-looking guy (not rocket science) and second as the infant on teen Gang-mo's back, but that illustration is a pretty important one, there are other things in that particular shot that indicates everyone's destination, kinda thing.
Oh and not to mention the main imagine which we see in the epilogue; JY with her back to GM.
Eeep, exciting.
I just don't know if there's enough time for Jun-mo. I mean in a feel good sense yes, but as a team player? Meh... It's not like you can come out of nowhere and step into this kind of turf war. Not unless he never went to America at all. It would seem like a cop-out to me if he just swooped in to make or break an arc in the storyline.
I know, I'm so hoping the same, too. Let's hope he has some kind of twisty-bendy ties with one of the ahjusshis. In one of my hare-brained theories, I have a particular ahjusshi in mind, that particular ahjusshi ties in nicely with a lot of people, particularly his vested interest in Gang-mo and that things could turn fatally volatile between them at any given time.
Revenge! Sigh! Revenge is happening, SM does so much more under the surface. We know for certain it's not the 'say hello to my lirral fren' -- bang bang!' brand of revenge. It's a whole nother thing. It's... poetry, y'know?
It involves Min Hong-ki, breaking trust and understanding now that nothing that break CPY, nothing, sure it'll make him crazy, little by little but it can't really destroy him -- as he bounces back harder and stronger. But then, there is one little area where he shows a wee bit of weakness, he even sheds a few tears about it. That's poetry.
You mean that reporter/used-to-be teacher dude? Or someone else?
Well, Seung-mo and Min-woo are waist deep in super sludge but I guess CPYs mind control didn't work on them too well to make them go at each others throats. Although SM missed a good opportunity to make a "us or them" deal with MW which could have helped.
Man, that was upsetting. Sure I'd envisioned these things happening, but I'm still so affected by 34.
He didn't just go for broke, he planned it all as well as he plans everything else, such a black heart our SM has (if nothing else, at least for the fact that he was never, truly sincere). Ohhh, Lee Seong-mo, you're just too tragic for me.
Not Lim Jung-yoon, I wish. I heart this guy and his baby was still an infant in 1979. I was talking Mr Moneybags of Myeongdong, y'know, 'vested interest' and concealed threats and stuff.
There's also someone else, who's a very likely possibility. Another ahjusshi who v. tragically sold out a particular DaeRuk construction president and stepped to CPY, because of something desperate regarding his wife and kid. I ignored this before, but it's highly likely, since there was a photo of his family to boot. It could be nothing though. (For ref: it was in episode 10 or 11.)
I doubt it'll be some completely detached role, where he simply breezes in. I doubt he's even in the US, but that's just me and my own theories.
If you'd like to see this particular family snap, holla, and I'll post a link.
I personally think it's quite neat how it all ironically ties in -- if it is the case.
If not, discussion closed, heh.
I don't know if SM has a purely black heart. I really wished if we were gonna see good times between bros who wear backwards caps that it would have been sooner and not inserted right now for kicks (but maybe that wasn't originally planned. I still am firm on my belief that Min-woo has kind of had his image softened)
About 34:
Sigh, first time ever I saw SM in a new light and man, was it upsetting. I've cherished this guy and all his carefully though out actions from the get-go, it was all justified to varying extents.
Granted, it was shcking news but it was cruel, cruel, fate not MW. MW was innocent and he knew it. He COULD have gone for the ''us or him'' deal, but that's if he'd ever thought of MW as a human in the first instance.
SM can't see beyond his own pain, that's all. He exists solely for those in a particular core unit, they're all that matter. To hell with everyone else, no really, To. Hell.
Poor, poor MW. He was delirious in his emotional pain (fantastic acting, JSW), it was devastating seeing him so broken, so vulnerable and so, unaware of his 'crime'.
Then they added to that with the flashbacks showing us how sincere MW has always been (and how fake and patronising SM was). OK, MW, pity parade, you got me now. (I would've loved seeing Kim Soo-hyun and No Young-hak together again for that, but maybe that would've been even more heartbreaking.)
Excuse me while I find a dark hole to crawl into as I lament and mourn over SM stepping over onto the dark side. *ahjumma wails*
Went to WongFu ISA 2010 last nite and it was soooo fun!! Was super excited to see the WongFu guys and the ISA performers. Jay was there too and it was really awesome to see him having a good time performing and doing his thing. The second they announced that Jay was gonna be up next, HORDES of fangirls sprinted up to the front, flush up against the stage. it was like a pit. i have to admit, if i were on the ground level, i probably would have done the same thing haha.
Suprise of the night for me was watching Quest perform. They were only slated to be at the NY show, so when they showed up at the LA show I got SUPER freakin' excited (i dono why, since they're based outta LA and I see them around a bunch as well haha). So to have both Jay and Quest at the LA show made my night :)
Also, congrats to Ted on his engagement!! The guys made an uber funny short about it and featured it as well. They never fail to amuse me :)
haha no joke. i wonder if they sold them there or if there's some jaywalkers site to get it from. but a ton of girls were wearing them. and he def. got the loudest screams of the night.
I'm about to start one of two older dramas: Stairway to Heaven or Love Story in Harvard.
Any recommendations about which I should watch first? They are the next two on my recommended list, and as I've previously mentioned if you caught my posts, I have sometimes made hard-to-get-over choices about which dramas to watch after which dramas.
Now, there's a list for Javabeans in her FREE time (lmao!), what order dramas should be watched in, or a definitive list of dramas by mood.
Ha ha ha still laughing. That's so ambiguous and personal at the same time, how would a list like that work?
I haven't watched Love Story in Harvard, except for a few scenes. I can tell you without seeing it that it has a handful of Engrish sprinkled in in first couple of episodes. It's a Love Story, not a dramafest....
On the other hand I have watched Stairway to Heaven to at least the better half of the last part, which I skimmed through for I am the only person who has never been enchanted by Kwon Sang-woo. It is a Makjang classic, starring the Queen of Tears so.. expect every cliche and then some.
I think I like you too much to have you watch either of these dramas. But if your in the mood for makjang type of camp go for Stairways to Heaven but I say Belleza's version of Stairways to Heaven is infinitely more entertaining.
I couldn't even get through 1 ep of Love Story in Harvard it was that terrible.
Finished episode 3 of Sungkyunkwan Scandal moments ago and ooooo I want to talk about it sooo very bad. I haven't been this interested in characters and their development in a long while. The son of the War Minister is ...wow. That is a spoiler and a half if it is true. And then "Crazy Horse" has a whole what the heck tragic vibe about him. I love them all so much. And the pretty boy Song Joong Ki *sigh*. So far it's flawless except for the slightest hints of overacting by smaller less important rolls. And how much do I love that the female lead is not loosing to the hot manliness in my interest and time on screen.
Between this and MGiaG I think I am the happiest girl in kdrama land. Going to work now. see y'all in the morning!
Truth be told, Diadda, I'm in k-drama heaven, having been sucked into Dong Yi, Baker King, MGiaG (still not entirely happy with the lead chemistry, but I'm taking it for what it is), IAL, SS, and PK ......
It's a good thing the kids are back in lessons every afternoon, giving me plenty of wait time outside of dance studios, piano and guitar and drum and voice lessons, play rehearsals, swim and tae kwon do to catch up on all of them. One of the kiddos said maybe she should drop piano and stay with me in the hall as I looked lonely and I had to bite my lip from saying "not on I am Legend's life" (I was in the middle of ep 8).
I am so ready to dive into SS discussion, but where do we do and not get yelled at for spoilers??
Going all fangirl on Sungkyunkwan Scandal episode3.
First of all did you notice the characters of the leads can be correlated to existing fictional characters. Imagine if James Bond, Bruce Wayne, Robin Hood, Mulan and Duddly Do Right all met in college as students before they became what they are known for. Then place them in historic Korea. And I believe we have what I just saw.
Lee Sun Joon(Micky) is Duddly Do Right. So uptight an full of himself and always right morally and intellectually. It makes me giggle thinking about the problems he is going to have when he figures out the female lead is a she. Goo Yong Ha(Song Joong Ki) is James Bond. Hot sexy and plotting things more like a spy with cool calm and collective intellect. He's felt her up enough to know she is a girl. Now he sends her in for traps cause he thinks it's fun. Also willing to follow orders but goes rogue when it suits him. Ha In Soo(Leader of the pack) is a young and dashing Robin Hood, complete with daddy issues and noble rank. He flies through the air at night with bows and arrows, outing injustice wherever he can. Moon Jae Shin(Crazy Horse) is Bruce Wayne. Melancholy and angry with a touch of whimsy. Sleeping in back a alley and stopping the baddies. Not looking for thank you but for some kind of closure to his own problems.
I may over analyze but I could not stop myself. When I started to see the other characters pop up they became so clear.
Any way. I also wanted to talk about the setup of these characters. Placing this group together is like "Heroes". They are going to have to save the cheerleader or something in the last episode. Of course we are going to get team building episodes and love story too, but I want a major plot arc. Currently I am assuming it shall be against Robin Hood's dad, the lecherous Minister of War. He comes complete with twisty mustache so Duddly will know who to fight against. But we could also have yet another twist and have the true evil master mind be Duddly's father (cue evil music...don-Don-Don-Don!)
the possibilities are so many and so great I feel like I have a gift with this show.
Ha ha ha ha, I can see it all now! SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
I assume Duddly Do Right, Robin Hood and Bruce Wayne will all discover she's a girl in the next few episodes AND each will have a different reason for keeping her identity a secret. Robin Hood will probably NOT discover his dad's nefarious sex schemes for our nubile Mulan, so it will have to be Bruce Wayne or Duddly Do RIght or James Bond who opens that pandora's box and fights for her purity. Each of the others then .... let's speculate on how they find her identity and why they choose to keep it protected/hidden.
It feels like Duddly Do Right will protect her because of her obvious superior intellect, and become the feminist that we all know is lurking within. He so admires her brains that he wants to deny his body's admiration for her. Oh, no, I think his libido may just trump his brain. The inner war begins. DUN DUN DUN DUN
James Bond is no fool when it comes to Mulan and he's going to continue to play his spy games and try to get her in his arms. The only reason Bond gives up a woman is for the greater good of mankind, so evil plot arc must come up, involving the Minister of War, his dad, the king, the prince, the dynasty. DUN DUN DUN DUN (bets he'll still get at least a kiss?)
Bruce Wayne will clearly not reveal our Mulan, he's got his own issues, but he's my top choice for who Mulan's heart thinks she wants to fall in love with. Aww, but it's just friendship and not twue wuv afterall, in the end, poor Wesley and Buttercup they are not, it's the friendship that frees Master Wayne to live on as Batman and changes his life for the good forever. It's epic and epically beautiful.
That leaves The Hood, then, and his Merry Men, to thwart the Minister of Wars mattress wrestling and vertical tango lessons. But, poor Robin, this is not his Maid Marian, just a damsel in distress who he must save over and over and over again. THRUST THWART THROW, he's gonna be a busy man and his little merry men, too.
Ha ha ha. Okay, seriously, I can see all of that happening and more.
I know they haven't officially revealed who the mystery man in black is, but I so want it to be the son of the Minister of War. Tried matching up the eyes and it looks like it is him for sure, but that could have been a stunt double. Especially after episode 4 which I just saw, I have hope and dreams in my plotting little mind it is him. I won't talk about that episode(fantastic to the extreme), but if man in black is Bruce Wayne I guess I can live with it. It would mean less and have less impact for the audience if that was the case.
As for episode 3, how many ways can I be jealous of Mulan. The torture of having to sleep between two hot guys over and over, semester after semester until graduation. OOH the humanity! And I absolutely love her nickname.
Duddly I think will be the last to figure it out. Needing as much time to dance around with sexual situations, Duddly would be to upright to do anything fun. But when he does figure it out. oh yeah. I agree his feminist "girls can do it too" thing will come out in a big way. Mister moral high ground will have a horrible time keeping it secret though.
James Bond oh how I love thee let me count the ways. Everything he does makes me smile.
So, diadda, I'm having a little trouble watching SS raw: too many words that I'm not familiar with, I'm guessing, so I'm having to wait on the subbed episodes. Apologies, my Korean has improved a lot over the summer, but this one is hard for me personally, I'm missing nuances that I think must be important to the storyline.
(Sat there thinking, "that can't be right", "what was that word?" and, "wait, that didn't make sense".)
no problem. My Korean is not the greatest either. My comprehension is good but I have trouble with some of the historical stuff to. Ie the Confucian discussion the teacher was going on about. Also some of the more advanced play on words I have to rewind and play over again to comprehend. Luckily they are super duper good to look at.
It is like hearing "cow before the horse" or "Why buy the cow when the milk is free" Having a whole other culture's sayings and verbiage for saying is fun but it slows stuff down most of the time.
I like trying to watch "Gag concert" to help me though. Tongue twisters, culture refs and historic nonsense all utilized for every double meaning and laugh possible. That show is better than any high level language text book.
Just watched Speedy Scandal, and it was cute. Not too serious, not too light, a little unbelievable on the ages, but hey, movies are all about the suspension of reality!
Reporting time - see the first (ever) four hints of smile of our "Dr Wang" in Gloria's Ep 12. It took 12 episodes to see him raise the side of his lips but so very worth it. I know your love of Giant (which I will catch up in Christimas) but don't ever forget Gloria.
Dude, thanks to that clip I rushed to go watch 3 & 4. Will continue watching...
Aww... those snaps. Dr Wang, he's so effin' precious and everything!
He's surrounded by some really annoying characters in the show though, as is Yoon-seo. No fair, Lee Chun-hee and Bae Doo-na get all the cool people to shack up with.
My lips are sealed, but it may or may not involve: snorting boba up our noses, getting the living daylights pounded out of us by little Asian ladies at a jimjjalbang which shall remain unnamed, eating so much waddling is permanently our gait, unable to find a certain Cosmo magazine and drowning our sorrows in....pinkberry, watching Jung Woo Sung mope around Amsterdamn, running around with a pig-rabbit (that's just me), and generally having the best time evar!
That is all.
Oh, and IAL has officially had ZERO major plot development in 4 episodes, it's thisclose to getting dropped by me despite all the feriocious acting by KJE and KSS.
Tube strike today, which means ... work from home day! Yay! Which also means that I can watch as many movies as I can in between responding to various e-mails etc.
So, first off was Tada Kimi wo Aishiteru (Heavenly Forest) .. because I just needed some Tamaki eye candy :P A slow moving movie at first, but the forest/lake is just beautiful. Such a peaceful movie. But the whole story/plot/idea .. wow, so sad. :*( If you kiss me now I might just die from happiness! *sob sob*
Moving on, to Blue Gate Crossing, my introduction to Wilson Chen. No idea who he is but sheesh, what dimples! Such a cutie. He has such a boyish charm. Love it. The movie itself was quite fun to watch and I was hoping that Meng Kerou would ask for a second kiss ... or that scene where they push each other in the gym would result in some skinship hugging or something!! *sigh*
Just finished the Taiwanese/Japanese collaboration "About Love", story of the three Japanese/Chinese couples whose lives are somehow intertwined. Another Wilson Chen movie and although this time he wasn't the cute highschooler, there were glimpses of the dimples :P
Not sure if the dialogues in Chinese/Japanese collaborations are their strong point, but I guess it shows that actions speak louder than words.
Here's a question about skinship/romance/bloody noses. I am fairly new to k-dramas, and I did a marathon Sam Soon watching over the weekend. On the final episode, after they have sex, why do they both have bloody noses? Is this like the cell phone battery, to show that the power is really off (ie, to show they had a really good time)?
Additionally, all the other dramas I've watched thus far (not many) have had the lame mouths pressing together instead of actual kissing, but I noticed there was actual kissing in Sam Soon. Is this because they are older and so it's okay for them to move their mouths? Where is the line for mouths pressing, girl can't make any actual move to actual kissing? And I vastly prefer actual kissing (it throws me out of the show when the kisses are so dumb) are there any other dramas you can recommend along the same lines as Sam Soon (eg, more frank - frankish - conversation about sex, kissing, etc.)
Usually Skinship/sexual situations in any drama is up to the actors, directors, and sometimes the writers of the show. Also the time the show airs in Korea is a big deal. If it is more of a family oriented thing you may not get the big hot realistic kisses.
The Bloody nose thing is more a Japanese reference. The idea is that your blood flow is interrupted when you get aroused and have naughty thoughts hence the bloody nose.
Shows with realistic hot kissing:
Coffee Prince
When It's at Night
What's Up Fox
Romance
My Girl
Boys over flowers(but I choose other versions Taiwan or japan)
City Hall
Iris
Goong
Personal Taste
I'm sure fellow OT'ers can add to this list. This is just what I can recall off the top of my head.
Also I have noticed that more recent dramas are getting away from the barely touching lip pressing thing. While I think this type of kiss can be sweet and convey a certain type of emotion. It can also be lacking when something strong is called for.
Spoiler
HnH2's most recent episode comes to mind. what the heck was that!?!
ditto to the HnH2 remark. seriously wth?! we're suddenly in jr high now?! buchou is supposed to be like 40!! and i think hotaru is 27 or something. sigh.
Most Jdramas do have the "non-kiss" (a simple peck on the lips). But they do have exceptions. Mastumoto Jun has laid one on almost all of his leading ladies. From Kimi wa Petto all the way through to his current role he does it up right and he isn't the only one. Kimura Takuya is also not afraid of a little heavy kissing.
But your point is well taken Jdrama's don't kiss heavy often. I only hoped against hope that HnH2 would be an exception. Sigh.
As a rule kissing in Kdramas IS pretty lame. There are exceptions of course. And I do think overall it's getting better. It does drive me crazy though when the guy goes in for the kiss and the girl stands there like a statue. :)
The whole nosebleed thing is more of a Jdrama thing. In Kdrama when someone gets a nosebleed the first thing going through at least my mind is Oh MY God! CANCER! :)
Yeah, K-dramas and J-doramas are not known for their hot and heavy action. (Korean movies, though, have some of the frankest stuff this side of France. Kim Rae Won and Bae Doo Na, definitely nothing is unknown between them . . . )
Some of it is market-based. K-dramas are targeted toward family or the housewife contingency. For example, KBS drew a little heat from Boys Before Flowers because its young characters were doing all sorts of silly stuff. That said, SBS tends to have K-dramas with more PDA, even raunchier material. Finally, you have cable.
J-dorama is kinda strange, because the Johnny dramas, which include the headliner big ratings stuff, are heavily regimented against the fangirl viewing audience. If you're a Johnny who hasn't reached past "junior" status, it's very unlikely that you'll get a kissing scene, because Johnny Entertainment doesn't want to alienate the fangirls. (Nobuta wo Produce can be watched as a deconstruction of being a "Johnny." The infamous ending perfectly reflects this rule.) Keep in mind, the fact that you see ANY female idol or actress having any kind of friendly relation with an actor produces a lot of heat from fangirls. Moreso than in Korea. (A Johnny needs to seem inaccessible to the mere fangirl. Godlike.) After they reach a certain age, then it's okay for a Johnny to have real kissing scenes. And, often, you may see some of the elite boys do the "Man Ritual" by doing a nude spread with usually a white woman to assert their sexuality in a way that reinforces heirarchy. A Johnny Man.
TW-dramas win out on this department. Part of the reason is that the culture is not as obsessed with congruity between public and private image. But, much of it is that TW idol dramas HEAVILY rely on shipper scenes in order to fill out episodes, which is why TW-dramas have the reputation of being so sweet and silly.
For the most part, K-drama chemistry is similar to American notions of screwball. It is about battle of wills, pleasurable conflict, and occasionally forceful gestures. That is the basis for k-drama sensuality, and for example something like What Happened in Bali is a good example. The kisses in it are cathartic kisses; angry kisses, guilty kisses. Good stuff yo!!
And even that said, I think the show I'm currently watching (Shooting from the Stars) may have the most skinship I've ever seen in a K-drama. By episode 3-4, she's slapping his butt, falling asleep in his arms, etc. And they hadn't even talked about having feelings for each other. They just enjoy being together. The chemistry between Jo In Sung and Jeon Do Yeon is WONDERFUL. Oh how I love this show.
sigh. i just read about all this BS with that stupid 'we want the truth from tablo' (or whatever) cafe... not only are they still saying his graduation documentation is faked, but they're now going after his music and saying a bunch of songs are plagarized. wtf. this is just getting even more out of control and ridiculous. i feel for his family :( and what sucks more is that his bandmates aren't even with him at the moment to help him deal with this insanity.
Tablo was the first rapper I knew outside of the states :) Totally love Epik High and support him all the way! I'll send the good vibes to him and his family :)
Yes it is on the insane side of reality. I mentioned it early because I wanted to see if it was only me that thought this was crazy.
I've read where people honestly think that "he's" wrong for wanted clear things up! It boggles the mind. I think someone mentioned his family and that is where I am. Why don't these people think about his wife, his kid, his parents? It's totally ridiculous. I am even sadder (as you mentioned) knowing that now with the EH speculations, he has to shoulder all that alone.
@lovenyc52 - I meant to ask you - HOW WAS ISA!?!? DUDE - The NY concert was awesome...but the LA one looks pretty epic too. Did you go to the workshop beforehand? I actually got to meet and talk to WongFu there (well, more like they talked and I stammered like the fangirl that I am...)
I also watched Into the Sunlight and loved every episode of it. I've never seen Jang Hyuk that good looking! He was boyish almost. And, for the first time, I fell in love with Cha Tae Hyun as an actor. I've watched him in other dramas before, but he's never affected me... until Sunlight.
Playful Kiss is giving me a serious rendez-vous of Goong (DUH). not just stylistically and in technicalities, but my visceral connection with it.
I'm trying very very hard not to compare, but I have given up (don't worry it's not my usual caustic spew) After ep2, I'll shut up on beating the dead horse on the topic of KHJ and acting and ratings (and so should the world). It's not anywhere near stinkily bad deserving such a dismal rating; KHJ's definitely improved, he is serviceable, that alone is a pleasant surprise and I can drink to that. That has nth to do in factoring my opinion on it though, jumping in, I just have an urge to revisit the story or more simply the OTP... the impossibility of not just the familiar opposite attracts trope but the opposite of TWO annoying characters falling in simple, true love.
And that's what I'm on the fence, on one hand I thought I would definitely appreciate a less ditsy to the point of retardation Kotoko and a less royal pain in the behind Naoki, but what makes ISWAK precious to me is...as dumb and delusionally optimistic as a XQ or as unfeelingly cold to the point of cruel and asocial as a ZS, every human being deserves an OTP, u do not need to nec transform to a much better 'desirable' self to deserve love, sometimes u just need a trigger... to open your heart, your eyes and things start appearing more rosy... I made it through ISWAK's draggy parts because not only did I develop the typical shipping of the pair, these 2 characters are winning me over ever so gradually as individuals fr hate their guts to cute puppies in human forms that I wanna adopt.
But in PK, these 2 r charming and normal enough off the bat, the cold prince is already noticing our 'ugly duckling' and barely 2 eps in, and I'm already missing the tension or the grinding of my teeth and throwing plush toys in annoyance and frustration over these sillies (which will guarantee a much more satisfying rewarding OTP swoon later on, FACT). Aside fr the cuteness, I may need more push and pull to keep me on my seat. And I think PD and writer is actually missing a great opportunity by playing it too safe to explore that and make these 2 more extreme and imo more befitting the fanciful dreamland tone. I do think all the other characters are in the hands of more talented actors, and hopefully it'll tide me over. Nobody can not be in love with Mom. I sit up straighter, my eyes glow wider in glee whenever the girlfriends are in frame.
And can I just throw in, I FINALLY get the full experience of the girly giddy joy of gushing over a Flower4. As an HYD anti, the original F4, all 4 of them, annoyed the heck out of me in their own ways in different reincarnations. BUT SKKS is honestly giving me 4 (or 5) boys that is making me hormonal in their own different way and no longer holding a very strong stance against a specific polygamy of marrying multiple pretty boys. Also, I can relate to any densha with a moe on ALL the Sailor Moons. *shake hands* I get it, finally!
"Also, I can relate to any densha with a moe on ALL the Sailor Moons. *shake hands* I get it, finally!"
Is this a mystery solving question? I must be overworked or simply slow;(. I didn't get it... Mookie sama, Could you explain what it means, please?
As for PK, I just can't get into it. I guess, that's because I've recently finished ISWAK and I was so entranced by the main couple, Joe and Ariel, they were so charming as a pair. I found Ariel very intriguing actress. She can look plain or she can look beautiful, like she's got a secret portion to transform herself... Joe, Aw! He's simply gorgeous<3<3<3
SKK, It's like I'm in ice cream parlor, being presented assortments of cute boys to choose from. All of them are so appealing. But for me, Yoochun! if he's there, I'd watch it even it sucks and it doesn't at all actually. I just stare at his pretty face for an entire hour(Heaven!)and I'm in paradise:)
o celestialorigin-sama, no grown men will openly admit it but Sailor Moon to them is F4 to us. Although the sentai pretty girls genre esp Sailor Moon caters to the toddlers/tween girls when I was in highsch, we all know each one of the color coded babes will fit perfectly into a specific moe mold and catch the fancy of a densha otoko as his ultimate dreamgirl. Sailor Moon is their Domyoji, Mercury is their Rui.
The same with the F4 to a lesser extent, it's always a Domyoji vs Rui (and the occasional Sojiro, and even fewer Akira) favoritism amongst the HanaDan fangirls. Imho, Domyoji has DV written all over him, Rui will either get killed by me for being an emo queen or bore me silly and sorry, the weakest gaydar can sniff the BL OTP of Domyoji+Rui, if it's up to Rui, he'll sTART the OT3 shipping. Sojiro is a PLAYER with a first love complex and Akira is a YAKUZA heir + ajumma playboy! And in the back of my mind, I'm always confused, IF they r SO flowery and sparkling, why cant we crush them ALL, hard choices are HARD!
But in SKKS, the pretty boys are each given enough and equal depth and dreamy froth (them being ALL smart enough by their own right to get into SKK is rocking my boat) and I'm rooting for ALL of them just like you and Diadda. Our heroine is having chemistry w/ each and every one of them in a different flavor to the point I am not OTP shipping AT ALL. A perfect saguek boyrem for us!! ;)
Oh, I have eaten buckets of my own words on Ariel, I'll be forever her slave and kiss the ground she's tread fr now on. One of my long time gf who forced ISWAK on me SAVED msn convos we had on how 'ugly' and insanely annoying I ranted ON and ON about Ariel/XQ when I first watched ISWAK. I was foolish and blind, but now I SEE!
@twin, nycgrl and OT sistas
NO WAY I'm missing 100,000 SQ FT jjimjalbang + silver fox dimpled cutie + hand holding! I'll get butt naked as long as there's no mirror...it's y'all that will have burnt eyes for all I care.
@twin
I'm still mildly enjoying PK, halfway into ep2, it's watchable because I've readjusted my perspective. I'm watching it w/ less emphasis on the OTP (still cute, but I'm a masochist, I need intense stinky assholery fr SJ, just like I like my stinky tofu STINKY! :) ). All the side characters are giving me a ball and much truer in essence to the manga and I agree the whimsy is on the money.
Oh noes you don't, you're leading the NYC leg of the OT tour. I simply MUST see that 100,000 sq foot jjimjalbang. If I fall asleep, will a certain silver-haired dimpled cutie come hold my hand? I can dream, can't I?
@ mookietwin
I probably love PK the most out of everyone of us, but it's losing the Goong similarities and gaining its own identity up to ep4. I'm glad you're watching, too. :-)
As for SKKS, I'm so onboard, I need to watch ep4 then I am caught up. And I also caught up on Giant now as well, and my heart feels a mite tired from watching so much awesomeness I might explode. Yeah, it's just that good.
I just finished "Gakeppuchi no Eri", all I can say is that this is a very "Heart warming" drama, again the thing that I am most interest in a drama is the "story line" what ever that may mean, I really like when dramas have a true to life content that one can relate to not just in the "realm of Fantasy", I give this drama a 9 out of ten!!!!!
![[Beanie Review] Hide](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hide_reviewb.jpg)
![[Beanie Recs] Cast of Queen of Tears](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/BeanieRecs.jpg)
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51 ar_arguably romantic
September 3, 2010 at 2:44 PM
I really wish I look more bitchy and dangerous sometimes instead of looking young, asian, friendly, trustworthy, and four-eyed! I definitely have a clean-cut look.
I always get stopped for help ("can you watch my stuff?") or for money! UGH!! I got stopped today for money. A couple had stopped me with this sad story about how this mess they're in and how the wife had come to the city to get treated for kidney disease, but then something happened (i think his sister was supposed to pick them up but she's stranded because of the hurricane) and now they're stranded and need money for the commuter rail and their credit card is maxed out from treatments. They had like a hospital folder and stuff and a train schedule. I hate situations like these. The cynical part of me goes "who the eff are you kidding? Don't eff with me!!! Sell your effing wedding bands if you need money!" and then I also worry that they're in real trouble and the good Samaritan thing to do would be to help right? Wouldn't karma just kick me in the butt for being heartless by stranding me somewhere one day, alone, sick, in the rain, and without anyone available to come get me? I ended up giving them $3 out of the $15 they needed. But I can't stop thinking about it. Was I acting like a soulless bastard today or a naive chump (like those kdrama heroines I get frustrated with when they get ripped off)?? I've definitely been tricked before.
Has anyone here ever been stranded somewhere before and have to ask random people on the street for money?
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Jae
September 3, 2010 at 4:13 PM
Hi, you're awesome!
Dont think that your generosity is a "ripped off" because at the time you wanted to give. Dont overthink, you must have felt some joy in giving and helping others.
There are scammers out there sadly. I just tell myself whatever I give I ask nothing in return so I wont feel burdened. So whatever they do with it, its their choice.
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Gaia
September 3, 2010 at 5:32 PM
I completely agree with Jae.
I've had pretty much the same kind of experience once. A mother holding her infant child came to me outside my campus which happens to be near a public hospital and asked me for some money because she just spent all her money to pay for her child's hospital bill and didn't have any money left to pay for the medicine and for the bus fare. I remember I was carrying a bunch of books and stuff that day and was so annoyed by this woman and instantly thought that she was just trying to trick me...so I ignored her and went by. And you know what ? I regret what I did until today. I kept thinking why I had been so heartless and selfish just because I was tired and carrying heavy stuff. What if they were really in trouble. I could just give her some money. So, I'm glad that you didn't do like I did, because it will feel so much better when you give and help others. Like Jae said, don't think too much. If they just want to trick you, it's their loss.
You are awesome indeed.
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wits
September 3, 2010 at 6:27 PM
If you give, you will feel good about yourself for helping a fellow human being. If you don't give, you will always feel guilty afterwards even if you doubt their story. BUT, the way I see it, if they are scammers and they tricked you into giving your hard-earned money to help them out in their sob story, isn't that their problem and not yours? You gave out of the goodness of your heart, whatever they do with your charity and concern, is their problem. And the blessing you give out will never return to you empty. That is the rule in life.
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ar_arguably romantic
September 3, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Even though I don't feel good at all about giving to random people on the streets (I prefer to give to charities and even the homeless dudes who open doors for me when I go get a donut or buy a candy bar), I guess I would feel more guilty and regretful if I didn't give anything at all.
If they really were in trouble, I hope they managed to find another $12 for their fare. I only gave them $3 because I felt it was sort of a compromise between not getting ripped off and getting ripped off (though a true compromise would have been $7.50).
I do wonder....this is the third or fourth 'I'm stranded' line I've ever heard in my life and the most detailed. How often do people get stranded like that in real life?
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Five-oh
September 3, 2010 at 10:59 PM
@asianromance
Hi ~If you were my child, I'd be so proud of you. Your compassionate heart shines through and people seek you out. I hope you see your goodness & kind ways come back to you ten-fold in the future in different ways. Karma. Stay the same great person you are! We need more young folks like you in this world. :)
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pipit
September 4, 2010 at 1:19 AM
You're indeed very kind and compassionate. May you never change. I think when your heart tell you to do a good thing you'd better do it at once without thinking too much about it. However, someone told me there's only a slight difference between a good guy and a fool guy. I used to give hand out to those people who were begging for money until a famous guy told a story about his past working as a street vendor who had to watch how easy people gave their money to the beggars who didn't want to work because it's easier asking people for their money.
After that I stop giving money to beggars. I give to people who work hard but I know don't earn enough to live decently. There are many people who fall into this category around me. I think it's better if we don't give money to people who turn begging as their proffession. But, having said that it's you who have to decide whether those who come to you for help are the genuine ones. If you're in doubt it's bettre to help. Because regret is something that one shouln't experience particularly when it comes to not doing a good thing.
God bless you.
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janna
September 4, 2010 at 12:48 PM
I'm curious if you're fairly new to a city, because sometimes people just naturally fall in the doe-eyed category because they're fresh faced. City dwellers just exude (unfortunately) cynicism after many long years of being dogged down by pan-handlers. There's a kind of look or way about going things, but I notice when I'm in a differnet city it doesn't work as well.
I'm not saying everyone who asks for a favor is out to rip you off, but they've pretty much taken it to an art in my city. I've seen do gooder friends try to supply food and have it literally thrown away in front of them because they just wanted "money". But in times of need I have helped grandmothers on trains, people trying to buy passes, or walked in an opposite direction so someone could get to their destination. If they're out to cheat, I hope they feel disgusted about it.
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52 kulfi
September 3, 2010 at 3:27 PM
So my last year in college started a few weeks ago and I already know this semester is going to be a crazy one - grad school apps, scholarship apps, essays, biochemistry TA stuff, research lab, conferences, poster presentation, senior honors thesis, GRE, etc!! I'm so thankful for My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show) otherwise I know I'd never let myself relax. Gonna work on my Statement of Purpose and give Playful Kiss a try this weekend too. To all the students out there, good luck and have a wonderful year :)
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53 chahaya
September 3, 2010 at 4:45 PM
I watched MGIAG, PK and will watch SS ep1 since GOESS already release the first sub. I don't mind people keep giving bad comments about PK after they watched the show but for some people, can they just DON'T comment if they even not watch it? geezz
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MsRetta
September 4, 2010 at 4:54 PM
Thanks. it's like a disease...or because everyone is doing it.
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54 supah
September 3, 2010 at 4:55 PM
Continued from OT #150:
@isabelh
The Way Home is simply a classic, and definitely rewatchable, it has so much heart.
Oooh, Moment to Remember? Good film, that. Loved the two actors in it, but role-wise much prefer SYJ in The Classic and JWS in Daisy, heh. (OMG, JWS in Daisy!!!)
@epyc
Oh, thank you hun. I must own it on DVD too, I'm going to treasure it for life.
And hey, Lee Sung-min is in Gloria too. Can't remember what his character is in it, Suh Ji-suk's dad? Or Lee Chun-hee's gangster overlord or something. *scratches head* Either way, he is amazeballs in Silk Shoes.
I wouldn't even mind watching Gloria for him alone.
And the little old man? You seen Shin-goo as the Grandpa in Thank You? Oh, he was great but he ain't got no'ing on this guy, just wait till you see this guy. You'll be blubbering wreck and not even realise you are one until later. Or maybe not. But I know I was one.
Maybe you should watch this after you've watched Giant, or halfway though the series or something, as you might not get the sentimental significance of Silk Shoes, as in the folk song and the pair he carries around with him, without it?
Either way, would love to know what you think of it once you've seen it, and of course, whenever that may be.
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isabelh
September 3, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Thanks for the movie tip; I've just put in a request for The Classic at the library; unfortunately Daisy & Silk Shoes are not available there; will keep looking elsewhere.
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supah
September 4, 2010 at 3:25 AM
Or, you can stream/download them online? That's usually the easiest bet. Let me know and I'll recommend some sites, with subs too.
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isabelh
September 4, 2010 at 8:04 PM
Thank you! Yes, do please give me some recommendations. I did find Silk Shoes, but Daisy was with French subtitles, which I can read, but they do slow me down.
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supah
September 5, 2010 at 3:15 PM
Hi, just found some links for you:
For streaming, decent quality with eng subs: http://vitamovie.com/movies/daisy/
Download zip file (it should have eng subs, since it's segmented, but I'm not completely sure it is, sorry): http://www.fileserve.com/file/xwpnESR
It's best watched for some amazing acting and breathtaking scenes. Maaaybe not for a light and fluffy watch. Hope you'll enjoy and love it as much as me.
isabelh
September 5, 2010 at 5:11 PM
Thanks a lot, I will try it later tonight.
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supah
September 6, 2010 at 7:58 AM
You're welcome, anytime. :)
epyc
September 4, 2010 at 7:32 AM
Lee Sung Min is one of the musicians in Gloria's nightclub. He's also the restaurant manager in Pasta - a very good comedian. I have the vibe that Silk Shoes will be something I like.... watch this space.
I'm currently in Seoul - in fact watched the premier of Playful Kiss on the night I arrived, couldn't watch Ep 2 due to a business function, then caught a glimpse of Giant today during its rerun (and LBS is just a magnet commanding the screen: his presence is felt whenever he's in a scene), and I watched Gloria live tonight!! Will leave tomorrow unfortunately, otherwise I will go watching Lee Byung-hun's new movie and Won Bin's Adjussie. Should come here for holiday one day.
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epyc
September 4, 2010 at 7:52 AM
Oh, and our 'Dr Wang' will smile for the first time in Gloria's Ep 12 - see 00.29 at http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/0LVaAZE7K8E
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supah
September 4, 2010 at 7:26 PM
Oh goodness, yes! The manager from hell in Pasta, with the shiny suits.
After watching the clip I've turned into a big, fat, glowball of giggly squealiness.
Guess, I'll have to pick up Gloria again.
Sandglass was my designated weekend watch, I've even almost finished the series but I really can't handle it at this moment. Certainly no saintly heroes to be seen here, nor is there any glossing over, it's simply stark and miserable, gritty reality.
So, it's Gloria episode 3 I'm downloading right now.
You're in Seoul? Lucky you! So you're not there for leisure purposes but you get to see kdrama, liiive!
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55 lookingfordramacrack
September 3, 2010 at 5:43 PM
I have to share my funny/gross incident with everone...so I left work late but it was still very light at 6.30pm. The walk back to my car takes me through this secluded mountainous-back-alley (those 24 steps are my daily work-out) Getting back to the incident, I happened upon a guy doing his toilet business against the wall. I didn't see anything, just heard the lovely hissing noise. Previously, I've have come across this at a safe distance. The thing that struck me at the time though was the pervert-flasher scene from Playful Kiss and so I laughed (out loud) but then I realised the dude had finished and was walking next to me. Yeah, I should have been walking briskly but hell I had a light lunch. Sadly, I didn't get a free strip-show - kidding, so gross!!
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56 Dele
September 3, 2010 at 6:13 PM
I'm watching the last two episodes of Tae Wang Sa Shin Gi on tv (The Legend of the 1st Kings Four Gods) and seriously it still makes me tear up, especially the part where all the monks of Geomul village get slaughtered and that one guy comes and is crying seeing them all dead. I was choking up at that part. I still get pissed when I think about the second half of the final episode, if only we could have a redo.
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ar_arguably romantic
September 3, 2010 at 11:25 PM
I would love a redo too! The second part of the last episode felt incomplete and fragmented. I think the series was supposed to be a bit longer, but then BYJ had suffered many injuries while filming that to do any more may permanently injure BYJ. Injuries to his finger, shoulders, knees, and spine! He had put off going to the hospital until the entire series was filmed. It's crazy what actors can go through! Makes me wonder if doing their 2 years of service may be more of a vacation than work.
Actually I also sort of want a redo of the Sujini scenes in the last 2 episodes because I felt they had made her really spiritless.
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MsRetta
September 4, 2010 at 5:04 PM
wow...I knew he had gotten hurt but not this degree. Perhaps thats why the prolonged absence?! some serious healing and recuperation.
I agree that that Sujini had become less Sujini-like....at first I thought as a 'disguise' long hair and cover up the feistyness. Like a cover...but still..
Thanks!
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mskololia
September 4, 2010 at 7:25 PM
I agree, it was as if a soft landing took place with the sujini character...out of the blue. This was my first intro to BYJ and I loved him in this drama...The twist at the end with the sisters and the bow was interesting.
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57 lettuce
September 3, 2010 at 6:15 PM
she doesn't realise it, but thundie has made me a very happy girl. key word: Hyena. key word behind key word: Manzzang.
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58 chisaicherry
September 3, 2010 at 6:38 PM
I'm happy to be addicted to MGIAG!!! It's been awhile since i've counted days until a drama's release!
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59 miharatori
September 3, 2010 at 7:02 PM
Still Lessaofpern here.
Does anyone have any Kdrama recommendations. I want to watch a drama with my husband. Something that is not too long and has some action in it. I must have a few hunks in it for me too. Any suggestions?
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justkat
September 3, 2010 at 8:50 PM
My hubs liked Time of Dog and Wolf well enough...try that?
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miharatori
September 4, 2010 at 9:15 AM
thanks:D
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Diadda
September 4, 2010 at 4:31 AM
When It's At Night - fun with some action and plot twists
&
Hong Gil Dong - fun with some action and hot guys.
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miharatori
September 4, 2010 at 9:15 AM
thanks :D
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notoriousnoona
September 7, 2010 at 10:55 PM
I have a friend that is interested in action too and we watched Lobbyist and HIT. She really seemed to like those.
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60 missthiri
September 3, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Hi Dramabeans:
it's Friday but the friday before labor day. Too bad my last friday before the madness starts in september.
however, i have these dramas to watch through this expected difficult days.
I just finished watching Playful kiss. I loved episode 2 though episode 1 was just so so.
I heart MGIAG. Glad it would be with me for 4 more weeks. I heart this week's ep 7. thanks for all your recaps.
btw, when are you recapping Playful Kiss? i know i m selfish... Enjoy your weekend.
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61 Minnette
September 3, 2010 at 8:29 PM
Very busy week.... Biochem and Farmacology will be the death of me... hmmm...
As I was reading the comments, I saw that a couple of them commented on how Lee Seung Gi wasn't attractive to them, and I have to say that I sort of understand. I didn't really like him in Shining Inheritance, it wasn't until I saw him in 1N2D and Kang Shim Jang that I began to understand how adorable his smile is, and I began to appreciate his cutenesss ^^
@46.2 ockoala Yeah I also don't get what the whole big deal the Netizen's have made of this, they are being very ridiculous, especially since it's very clear that he did go to Stanford. I also worry a lot about how he and his family must be feeling especially since he now has a little one to take care of on top of all this stress.
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62 justkat
September 3, 2010 at 8:47 PM
Playful Kiss just became my guilty pleasure. Oh Ha Ni is so adorable! Baek Seung Jo is so dreamy (I confess to having a crush on Shillang). Pretty much all the casts are all lovable in their little quirks.
I love the whole manga feel...and the little cartoons that are inserted.
I startled the my family with my bouts of laughter during the flasher scene...
As to the dismal ratings --pfffftttt! PK Hwaiting!
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Leonardswench
September 4, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Oh, good, I didn't want to be the only one laughing out loud at the quirks and liking the 'feel' of the show. And so much hate has been written, it felt uncomfortable to say, "I'm quite liking this little show."
Yeah, I like all the previous incarnations for various reasons (as well as having a nitpick with each for various reasons), but I saw enough chemistry between the leads and funny cute moments to keep me watching.
Also, there was a total "awww" moment, which I won't mention so as not to be a spoiler, but it melted my heart and that's gonna keep me watching during the lagging parts, if they come!
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63 amg01
September 3, 2010 at 10:34 PM
*Gender Inequality*
I will not deny that in this world “Gender Inequality” does exist, so once we agree upon that “Fact” than the question becomes one of degrees.
1- At what point does the scales become “equal”?
2- Is there a way to quantize “equality” when it comes to “Gender Issues ”?
3- Are one society more prone to 'Gender Bias” than others?
4- And one of the most important of them all; Are the genders “universally equal” to begin with?
5- The “Male Role” in bringing about a more realistic equilibrium.
6- Personal responsibility and the “weaker sex” mentality.
Since we all here take “Asian Dramas” seriously to a certain extant, than we can say that whatever the “place of origin” than that's how it should be judge by.
But we encounter a small problem when we try to take a look at this problem from that point of view, since we know that in “Theory” it sounds “Self Affirming”, “Thou and I are Homologous”, but in practice we are truly “Two Worlds” apart.
Now I was about to write an essay on “Gender Equality/Inequality” base on what I, a male Mexican/American living in “America (USA)” views on this issue are, but than by looking at some of my above questions, I realized since the “Audience” at “DramaBeans”, spans the “Four Corner” of the world I do not think that I can properly address this issue other than give a few toughs, and then allowed some of you to give your toughs, and since most of the readers here are comprise of the “Nicest Lady's” in this side of cyberspace, than I feel that I could better understand this issue.
P.S This questions where “Inspired” by reading the comments that a lot of you have posted concerning “Gender Issues” that are being develop in the dramas like in (I am legend, Gloria, My girlfriend is a Gumiho, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Giant, Playful kiss, just to mention a few!
1- Well my answer to this question should be “When all people are treated equally”, but since some of the gender biases are ingrain in the way society is run, I am afraid that is going to take maybe another “one to two hundred years”. Man! But that really is a long time, here in the USA we are not even ready to have a “Woman President” yet! I feel that Hilary Clinton would have been a better choice for “President” than Mr. Obama, (IMHO).
2- I have always have a hard time with this one because “Man and Woman” for all intended purposes when it comes to “intellectual achievements ” both genders have always excel, the only argument that can be made is the physical make up of “boy's and girls”, boys have more “muscle mass” than girls but, that should not be a deterrent for keeping woman from some specific jobs, e.g. (fireman, combat soldiers, police officers, construction workers etc.)
3- In some society’s, “Female Infanticide “is still in practice, still suffer from “Sexual Subjugation”, “Citizenship” can only be granted by the “Father”, “Custody Rights” belong to the father, they are greater “Victims of Violence”, “Deny the Right to travel” (must be accompany by male companion with Familial ties), the are deny the access to “Education”, the are deny the right to “Divorce”, they must “Adhere to a strict clothing requirements”, they are “Forbidden to drive”, Do I need to say more?
4- I will answer this question with out the intend to “offend no ones religion”, having say that; If we where to to study “Gender Equality” trough the eyes of the “Historical Jesus” not the not the one preach in many “Modern Churches”, we will find that indeed the “Historical Jesus” is one of few “Religious Leaders” who fought for the “Equal rights of Woman”, the reality is that most people have never really read the “New Testament” so it is very easily to paint and portray the “Historical Jesus” as a “woman hater and a bigot', which the record clearly shows that he was “Neither of both”.
5- I as a “Male” have been guilty as charge, and I must admit that at times I have not been the best, “Father, Son, Brother, Husband, and Friend” to woman.
I have been an abusive Husband at times I have been and “absentee” Father, I have pursue woman just for “Sexual Fulfillment” and lie in the process to get what I wanted, I was the overbearing, and obnoxious “older brother” at times, and last but not least I was my Mom's “Worst Headache” growing up. Having say that, at this point in my life I can say that I am almost 100% at peace with all the “Females” in my life.
6- I learn a “Real Fact” at a young age; “Woman are not the weaker sex” neither “Mentally, Physically, or Spiritually” that is a “Myth” that “Weak Man” created in order to “control woman”, but it is not “Good Enough” for me to tell you how “Beautiful you are” when you do not diet! Or how “Intelligent” you really are, and “Capable” you are at what you do, or the fact that “You can accomplish anything, and let me be very clear “Anything” you set your mind to accomplish, but the “Greater” fact of the matter is the “You” need to believe that “Whole Hardheartedly” for that to come to pass.
By the way “You are all of that” the even if you do not believe it just yet!!!!!!!!
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64 blahblahblah
September 3, 2010 at 10:34 PM
TGIF! My first week of Senior year has officially ended! I think I would be confident in keeping up with my classes plus preparing for college applications, but I've realized how freakin hard AP Calculus is gonna be for me. My teacher is one of those types who if he knows you work hard in his class, he'll pass you with at least a C. But I would be soo happy if I could get a B in AP Cal. I'm really aiming for that and I really want to pass the AP exam so I can have the least amount of math as possible in college. But I'm also a major drama addict. How does everyone handle their drama addiction, but also get school work and everything done? Any tips?
For those of you in the U.S. yey, happy labor day weekend! Yess, I've got Monday off ;D
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65 Ips
September 4, 2010 at 2:23 AM
I HAve a complaint. Update us on lee min ki and his drunk violence cse. I'm so curious. I know javabeans has a loyalty towards him.
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66 Dara
September 4, 2010 at 4:12 AM
Sungkyunkwan Scandal: Yoon-hee's “I don’t think that Joseon is such a great nation.” Wow.
I'm counting days and hours for S-scandal ep3 , addicted to Sun-joon's wisdom on social rights and his flat sternness acting. He's not even that good looking (my taste), how come I miss him on screen? O_O!!
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67 Diadda
September 4, 2010 at 4:48 AM
K, I am finally out of the oddball drama doldrums completely. For a while there I was reviewing older stuff to fill in the time and gaps left because I had a serious lack of interest in what was out there. Wow what 6 weeks can do. It was almost every week I added a new drama to the list of watchables. Now I am fully booked and I don't think I can add anymore. This is making me happy!
In no order my list is below.
Is anyone else finding themselves completely booked and happy?
HnH2, Natsu no Koi, Joker
Zong Wu Yan
I Am Legend, MGiaG, Dong Yi, SS, Secret Investigation Record
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notoriousnoona
September 7, 2010 at 11:01 PM
I just decided to give Joker a peek yesterday...is it like the Japanese cop version of Dexter?
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68 lovenyc52
September 4, 2010 at 10:38 PM
ok. i gave in and watched PK this weekend. it's cute and i like it so far :) JSM is really adorable and fun to watch, KHJ is pretty tolerable, and LTS is endearing as Duckie haha. Looking forward to the rest of this series.
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69 belleza
September 5, 2010 at 12:42 AM
@SMTOWN2010 LA,
One word:
DBSK
Wow.
(Technically, it was just U-Know and Xiah, but what an entrance. The lights go out, and there's a lengthy silence and then there's a buzzing sound and then you hear U-Know's whisper " . . . we are dobanshinki. . . " And a crowd that had already been shrieking for a good 2 hours goes into Def Leppard levels of hysteria . . . Oh, that must have been me.
Straight from a WWE event, U-Know and Xiah arrived by crane FROM THE CEILING OF STAPLES CENTER, as if they were quite literally Heavenly Gods that had descended down to grace us with the miraculous presence. And after what seemed like 2 full minutes, they finally touch down onto the stage and proceed to wipe everybody off. The charisma, the fierceness of the choreography, the white suits, the vocal power. The crowd was so stunned and DBSK came with such power that their energy literally carried the rest of the night.)
Quickie assessments:
1) Shinee -- Got the 2nd loudest pop among all boy bands, and overall were probably the most consistent. They were consistently good, and they seemed poised to carry SM for at least the next few years.
2) Heechul -- J-rock is so much in his soul that it makes you wonder why he continues with SuJu. He and his violinist ended up kissing, to the fangirl approval of the crowd, and besides he gave good Gackt with his solo rock tune. if Heechul and Miyavi hook up, I hope they use tongue. ;)
3) SuJu -- Good in places (and Choi Si Won's body . . . ), but felt sloppy. They seemed to get by in places with obligatory fan service rather than giving 120%.
4) SNSD -- Got a lot of love from the boys, as the shrieks were replaced by a rather alto roar and sing-along. Oh Oh Oh got a bigger pop than Genie, perhaps because it's easier to sing along to. Their choreography was tight, and they did a good job engaging the audience. Best of all, Fany gave some love to her hometown audience and especially the Lakers.
5) Trax -- Mixed feelings about their change of style. As a soft rock ballader unit, the singing and musicality was almost without peer for much of the night. But, their heart is still in their Taji-informed nu-metal. They were good, and they did a good job keeping a up-and-down SuJu (colloboration) engaged.
6) Lee Yeon Hee -- Remember her? She was Grace-uh from East of Eden. Remember her uhhh "memorable" singing performance in EofE? Well, this time around, she ended up doing a ballad fully in English, and showed off a vastly improved and expressive singing voice. It was really good!
7) F(X) -- Hmm. Is Krystal the leader of the group? Because she really asserted herself throughout the performance, as if she was the solo artist and they were her backup. They started out a little hedgy, but by the 2nd half of the night (artists rotated with each other, so their songs spread out through the night), they were showing flashes of a female Shinee.
8) Kangta. Felt like an afterthought, and I kinda felt bad for him. He would be better served at the Korean Music Festival, which catered to a wider age range.
9) BOA. Haven't seen BOA in a few years, and definitely not in a venue like this before. And it's kind of strange, because I felt even though she got a huge pop with the audience, there wasn't the same connection. (A technical problem probably didn't help.) Even though Hurricane Venus is a hit, it's still 5 long years since Boa's last K-pop, and you could feel some distance between her and the audience. Also, she spoke with the audience in only English, which was great, but also a contrast between her and the rest of the SM artists, who mostly conversed in Korean. Having said that, BOA now recalls less of a Britney Spears now and more of an Aaliyah. Her B-Girl cred is so in her blood now that her detailed and still hip-hop choreography is executed with a stunning casualness that no other K-pop female singer can remotely approach.
Overall Assssment:
SMTown 2010 LA (sold out!) kicked ass. Seeing half of DBSK kicked amazing ass. 4 hours of 20,000 fangirls screaming into tone deafness. Instead of one group doing their set at a time, they had almost a random playlist of tunes with one group after another seamlessly following up after the other was finished. This was both exhilirating and exhausting; you didn't want to leave your seat because you weren't sure who or what song will follow up. The logistics were so well done, and the large screens did a pretty good job capturing the action for the balcony people.
They had a middle platform, similar to your U2s and Rolling Stones (and you may have seen it during the SBS Inkigayo Festival) to connect with the audience. With groups like Suju and SNSD, this is ideal for them.
At least for me, it did feel like a watershed moment in K-pop. SMTown sold out Staples pretty easily, and in addition the vibe inside was just like any American superstar group act. It must have been exhausting for everybody.
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janna
September 5, 2010 at 4:56 AM
Sounds cool. I'm a little preoccupied to not be up to date with music stuff (aside from 2NE1s comeback and seriously that Hyo-rin (? correct me if I'm wrong someone) in Sistar has quite the clear voice)
I feel weird about f(X).. there's something not going right with that group, I feel like they may not be as close as other groups (although Victoria seems pretty likable/easy to hang around with). It's a shame. Not everyone can be "leader" and why would it matter anyways, people talk about Yoona more than Taeyeon. (Over in Korea that is. Here? Well, it actually seems more balanced in SNSD favorites)
I wouldn't be surprised if BoA is forgetting some of her Korean, being in Japan all the time. I'm sure she wanted to speak in English as they are preforming in LA. Well, thanks for the review. Was there swag to be had? (T-shirts, glowsticks?)
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belleza
September 5, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Yeah, there were Ts and glowsticks up the ying-yang. (Much of the floor people were wearing pink shirts.)
It surprised me that Amber wasn't there for the f(x) gig, but then I remember that she was injured. And it seemed to me that Krystal was like the true front person of the group. She has the pipes, dancing, and "love me" charisma that goes with that. I think f(x) has talent, but they don't seem as "together" as some of their peers.
The thing that strikes me about Boa is that, in her way, she is kind of a fish out of water. Because she hadn't done K-pop for so many years, it felt like the crowd was responding more by reputation than by genuine connection.
You can tell everybody there goes onto Allkpop. When Trax did their "Oh My Goddess" song, which was released only a few days ago, there was a big pop.
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belleza
September 5, 2010 at 11:53 AM
Oh haha. It was Luna instead of Krystal. Heh. Girl groups looks all the same. ;)
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janna
September 5, 2010 at 3:24 PM
Oh Belleza, haha. Maybe.. Luna is the shortest member of f(x) so it will be the hardest for her to reach the moon. . . !!! Or something. (If that helps) If you tried to quiz me about members of After School/4Minute/Kara I'd really become a giant failstorm...
celestialorigin
September 5, 2010 at 7:25 PM
Aww! Miss Belleza, thank you for your assessments. It must have been amazing to feel the energy of fans and artists all coming together as one.
Even my twitter is sort of hijacked by DBSK nights right now, it's great to read your writing here.
I'm more of JYJ fan nowadays but I'm sure I'll feel differently once I see Homin perform live...
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djeedjes
September 5, 2010 at 7:52 PM
I don't know belleza is a Kpop fangirl too? :P
It's good to know, btw.
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70 momosan
September 5, 2010 at 11:24 AM
And to make up for earlier pointiness up thread - today's daily dose of Kimutaku....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTHpL2icxnE&feature=grec_index
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celestialorigin
September 5, 2010 at 7:18 PM
Thanks for the post. From there on, I went on to many of Eric Clapton's songs. OMG. He is freaking awesome! Lol. I'm consoling myself for not being able to take a trip to LA this weekend... (I'm up in Idaho, doing teacher's assistant).
I'd better buy some of Clapton's music at itunes now.
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71 amg01
September 5, 2010 at 2:17 PM
I just finish watching the 2008 J-Dorama "Seigi no Mikata" with "Shida Mirai" and "Yamada Yu", this drama is base on the manga "Seigi no Mikata by Hijiri Chiaki", it deals with the relationship between 2 sisters, one the is "Self Center" and evil, and the younger sister that is always being taking advantage of by the evil older sister.
This is a Comedy with some romantics elements, one of the things that I like specially about J_Doramas as @belleza has stated before, is the fact that the romantic elements do not "Crowd" the over all pacing of the story line, our lead actress does not resolve her romantic dilemma till the last episode, but it was done in such an endearing way the one does feel let down, because the emphasis was not in the romance itself but in the way the characters grow trough the realization of falling in love!!!
Out of 10, I give this drama a 9.5.
Like I say before out of all the "Asian Dramas" J-Doramas hold a special place in my heart, I do not know what it is but they seems to always make easier sense than the other ones if that can be said!!!!
Even tough I am watching @5 of the current trendy K-Dramas the J-Doramas still a great part of all my drama watching!!!
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amg01
September 5, 2010 at 2:19 PM
* EDIT*
I meant to say "One does not feel let down"
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belleza
September 5, 2010 at 3:51 PM
"fact that the romantic elements do not “Crowd” the over all pacing of the story line, our lead actress does not resolve her romantic dilemma till the last episode, but it was done in such an endearing way the one does feel let down,"
Indeed. A reznoku is never really about two people, rather it's about the journey that two people walk, sometimes as partners and sometimes as a fated intersect. If it's an idol drama, that journey is usually a coming-of-age narrative, where one or both characters come out a much better, much wiser person due to the relationship. And this substantiates the romance beyond "well they they have good chemistry." If it's an office lady drama, there's often genuine personality differences that simply cannot be resolved through force of will or one party making nice.
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amg01
September 5, 2010 at 9:05 PM
@belleza, is there an equivalent "per se" in K-dramas for the "reznoku" format or is that only seen in the way Japanese approach there "writing/drama" production? As far I as I can remember 99% of all the K-Dramas I have seen there is always an "OTP" at the end of the drama!
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belleza
September 5, 2010 at 11:08 PM
"@belleza, is there an equivalent “per se” in K-dramas for the “reznoku” format or is that only seen in the way Japanese approach there “writing/drama” production?"
Really only if you watch movies, thanks to 3-act structure.
Alone in Love and Goodbye Solo are reasonably close to a J-dorama style. The former has an episodic structure and precise production style. The latter has uncertain characterization that clarifies and evolves through the drama. Return of Iljimae plays like a taiga with its "chapter" presentation, narration, background relationships, and camerawork.
Haven't made up my mind on White Tower/Shiroi Kyoto. If anything, to me, the adaptation more underlines differing perspectives on what makes drama work.
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72 Lisa
September 5, 2010 at 8:42 PM
In my opinion, SHInee, DBSK and TRAX´s performances were the best. Perhaps it was because I was sitting at the section on the side of the stage and could only see the sides of the performers.
I love Super Junior, but the energy wasn`t there. They have been very busy recently with their own SS3 concert tour and individual schedules that I am starting to worry for some of the members´health. Siwon looked too thin and tired. But they didn´t disappoint and I got to see live and a few feet away my bias, Heechul.
For me, the greatest surprise of the evening was the singing performance by Kim Min Jong (Return of Iljimae, Hyena, May Called God and Athena, Goddess of War). I knew he was a singer, but I didn´t know he was part of the SM family.
I had a great time and hope that they´ll come to the USA soon.
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belleza
September 5, 2010 at 10:45 PM
"Siwon looked too thin and tired."
Si Won's abs were especially starved. ;)
Wow, how amazing was CSW's body?? Let's just say that even from our seats, WE could see his 6-pack without the display.
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Lahlita
September 6, 2010 at 6:26 AM
Well, at least now I have my proof that it is not actually possible to die from jealousy. Seriously, if Siwon walked through my door right now, I would die. I would just give up and die, because life couldn't get any better.
Thanks for your account Lady Belleza. I loved reading about the concert. Since I'm all the way over on the Eastern Seaboard, this Korean bias toward the West Coast makes me sad.
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73 Diadda
September 6, 2010 at 12:33 AM
Normally I just post these things once, but since OT crowd seems to like them I will add it here as well.
My Sungkyunkwan Scandal mini lusting after them video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRdlBtAi-VQ
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74 MsRetta
September 6, 2010 at 7:50 AM
Thanks for the concert info...I had to pass. waaaaaaaah..
anyway...
Lahlita, I understand how you feel...in reverse...as a West Coast resident I often feel the East Coast gets all the goodies.
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Lahlita
September 8, 2010 at 12:56 PM
What the heck goodies do we get on the East Coast? Y'all have:-
1) Gorgeous people, including hot Hollywood types. And California girls -- they're unforgettable. Daisy dukes, bikinis on top!
2) Awesome weather. Even when it's rainy and snowing, it's awesome.
3) Earthquakes. Earthquakes are so metal, yo! That shet is hardcore!!!
4) Kpop. Choi Siwon and Choi Minho (my two biases) were in LA this weekend. I wasn't. I almost cried. But I didn't. Because that would be lame. If SM Town would friggin' come to the East Coast, I'd be all over it, no matter where they were, because I have family in New York, in DC, and in Atlanta. SM Town? Pfft. SM Tools, more like.
5) ... Other stuff. :D
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75 janna
September 6, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Ah, Giant. Last week and this week = best episodes of the series. Tomorrow, something I've been waiting for awhile. Seung-mo, sometimes you disappoint me, but then you come back and win me over.
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supah
September 7, 2010 at 5:32 AM
Giant 33? Awesome.
After tonight there'll be only 16 episodes remaining and I'm scared out of my wits(!!) about how they'll approach the inevitable, y'know, that little thing hinted at the very end of the episode 34 preview. *cowers*
Damn, can we not have that extension, team Giant?
I'm not quite ready to see things get this ugly, yet.
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janna
September 7, 2010 at 3:10 PM
And so you got your extension! Okay, I have yet to watch 34 yet. Things are already a Giant mess. (Oh, and they already dropped the tv trope of saying the title of the show within the show, it's ok show you had to at some point) I think if Jung Bo Suk doesn't win any awards for this show I will seriously throw something through my monitor. Fo reals.
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supah
September 7, 2010 at 3:38 PM
Wooh! Moar Giant, moar, moar!
I agree, if JBS doesn't get a baeksang for THIS, yet Go Hyun-jung could get it for Mishil? What are those three words again? Aah, that's right: Heads Will Roll.
And hey, I read like aaages ago, that JBS won't have to wear his aging makeup again, since the last episode where he was required to wear it, is already in the can -- which'll make sense. Plus, tonight's episode (I'm about to watch and bracing myself) there's a Seong-mo scene which sounds exactly like that one described in an article where they said Kim Soo-hyun went to visit him on set, and that was being filmed about a MONTH ago. That should hopefully indicate how far in advance they're filming. But I guess there'll be a lot of wriggling around now since they have an additional 10 episodes to work their material into. Seriously dude, that's a good thing. Plus I'd hate if they didn't put much thought into the Jun-mo character and rushed through his parts.
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janna
September 7, 2010 at 3:53 PM
Is Jung-mo going to be an after thought or what. Because that was one of the main reasons I was okay with the extension. Also, plot points are still moving at pretty good speed considering all the other 50 episode shows I've watched (maybe they need to be more about revenge, less about family togetherness)
supah
September 7, 2010 at 4:29 PM
Dude, given what we've seen so far of how the writer works, it seems Jun-mo will be an important character. He simply has to be, remember how much teen Gang-mo cried (and cried and cried) over him promising he'd come back for him? Plus again, the illustrations in the opening credits? Spoileriffic!!
Those illustrations were pretty symbolic, here's an example of just three:
An unaware JY (Nam Ji-hyun) who walks ahead and has Kyeongok stood behind her whilst she's half enshrouded in the shadows, geddit?
A barefoot MJ practically lying at MW's feet, while he holds a gun with one hand and holds her hand with the other? (I think you've seen that one, and it's like the third big image that assails you.)
And Jun-mo is in it twice, both as a mysterious silhouette of a young-looking guy (not rocket science) and second as the infant on teen Gang-mo's back, but that illustration is a pretty important one, there are other things in that particular shot that indicates everyone's destination, kinda thing.
Oh and not to mention the main imagine which we see in the epilogue; JY with her back to GM.
Eeep, exciting.
supah
September 7, 2010 at 4:32 PM
main image*
janna
September 7, 2010 at 4:55 PM
I just don't know if there's enough time for Jun-mo. I mean in a feel good sense yes, but as a team player? Meh... It's not like you can come out of nowhere and step into this kind of turf war. Not unless he never went to America at all. It would seem like a cop-out to me if he just swooped in to make or break an arc in the storyline.
Seung-Mos new nickname: Everybody's Hyung.
supah
September 7, 2010 at 5:40 PM
I know, I'm so hoping the same, too. Let's hope he has some kind of twisty-bendy ties with one of the ahjusshis. In one of my hare-brained theories, I have a particular ahjusshi in mind, that particular ahjusshi ties in nicely with a lot of people, particularly his vested interest in Gang-mo and that things could turn fatally volatile between them at any given time.
Revenge! Sigh! Revenge is happening, SM does so much more under the surface. We know for certain it's not the 'say hello to my lirral fren' -- bang bang!' brand of revenge. It's a whole nother thing. It's... poetry, y'know?
It involves Min Hong-ki, breaking trust and understanding now that nothing that break CPY, nothing, sure it'll make him crazy, little by little but it can't really destroy him -- as he bounces back harder and stronger. But then, there is one little area where he shows a wee bit of weakness, he even sheds a few tears about it. That's poetry.
supah
September 7, 2010 at 6:43 PM
Giant 34:
My heart's just not strong enough. That was just blow upon blow, heavy.
janna
September 7, 2010 at 9:52 PM
You mean that reporter/used-to-be teacher dude? Or someone else?
Well, Seung-mo and Min-woo are waist deep in super sludge but I guess CPYs mind control didn't work on them too well to make them go at each others throats. Although SM missed a good opportunity to make a "us or them" deal with MW which could have helped.
supah
September 8, 2010 at 6:50 AM
Man, that was upsetting. Sure I'd envisioned these things happening, but I'm still so affected by 34.
He didn't just go for broke, he planned it all as well as he plans everything else, such a black heart our SM has (if nothing else, at least for the fact that he was never, truly sincere). Ohhh, Lee Seong-mo, you're just too tragic for me.
Not Lim Jung-yoon, I wish. I heart this guy and his baby was still an infant in 1979. I was talking Mr Moneybags of Myeongdong, y'know, 'vested interest' and concealed threats and stuff.
There's also someone else, who's a very likely possibility. Another ahjusshi who v. tragically sold out a particular DaeRuk construction president and stepped to CPY, because of something desperate regarding his wife and kid. I ignored this before, but it's highly likely, since there was a photo of his family to boot. It could be nothing though. (For ref: it was in episode 10 or 11.)
I doubt it'll be some completely detached role, where he simply breezes in. I doubt he's even in the US, but that's just me and my own theories.
supah
September 8, 2010 at 7:00 AM
If you'd like to see this particular family snap, holla, and I'll post a link.
I personally think it's quite neat how it all ironically ties in -- if it is the case.
If not, discussion closed, heh.
janna
September 8, 2010 at 4:48 PM
Sure, I could use a refresher.
I don't know if SM has a purely black heart. I really wished if we were gonna see good times between bros who wear backwards caps that it would have been sooner and not inserted right now for kicks (but maybe that wasn't originally planned. I still am firm on my belief that Min-woo has kind of had his image softened)
supah
September 9, 2010 at 4:16 PM
See this: http://s789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/supah5/?action=view¤t=untitled14.jpg
(...and instead of print screening just that, I went on a screencap rampage and created a photobucket album...)
It could be much ado about nothing. At that time I simply saw it as one tiny mechanism that eventually led to this:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_29h13l5rBjM/TA2Jt4rR2qI/AAAAAAAAANc/mOB9JLcQzII/s1600/%EC%9E%90%EC%9D%B4%EC%96%B8%ED%8A%B8%28GIANT%29.E10.100607.HDTV.X264.450p-HAN%E2%84%A2.avi_20100607_200337.jpg
It's just a possibility really. *shrugs*
About 34:
Sigh, first time ever I saw SM in a new light and man, was it upsetting. I've cherished this guy and all his carefully though out actions from the get-go, it was all justified to varying extents.
Granted, it was shcking news but it was cruel, cruel, fate not MW. MW was innocent and he knew it. He COULD have gone for the ''us or him'' deal, but that's if he'd ever thought of MW as a human in the first instance.
SM can't see beyond his own pain, that's all. He exists solely for those in a particular core unit, they're all that matter. To hell with everyone else, no really, To. Hell.
Poor, poor MW. He was delirious in his emotional pain (fantastic acting, JSW), it was devastating seeing him so broken, so vulnerable and so, unaware of his 'crime'.
Then they added to that with the flashbacks showing us how sincere MW has always been (and how fake and patronising SM was). OK, MW, pity parade, you got me now. (I would've loved seeing Kim Soo-hyun and No Young-hak together again for that, but maybe that would've been even more heartbreaking.)
Excuse me while I find a dark hole to crawl into as I lament and mourn over SM stepping over onto the dark side. *ahjumma wails*
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76 lovenyc52
September 6, 2010 at 10:27 AM
Went to WongFu ISA 2010 last nite and it was soooo fun!! Was super excited to see the WongFu guys and the ISA performers. Jay was there too and it was really awesome to see him having a good time performing and doing his thing. The second they announced that Jay was gonna be up next, HORDES of fangirls sprinted up to the front, flush up against the stage. it was like a pit. i have to admit, if i were on the ground level, i probably would have done the same thing haha.
Suprise of the night for me was watching Quest perform. They were only slated to be at the NY show, so when they showed up at the LA show I got SUPER freakin' excited (i dono why, since they're based outta LA and I see them around a bunch as well haha). So to have both Jay and Quest at the LA show made my night :)
Also, congrats to Ted on his engagement!! The guys made an uber funny short about it and featured it as well. They never fail to amuse me :)
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lb_tmi
September 6, 2010 at 11:13 AM
"i <3 Jay Park shirts are everywhere!"
it took me a moment to understand that txt... u'll have to tell me all about it!! i can't wait for a longass email :)
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lovenyc52
September 6, 2010 at 7:16 PM
haha no joke. i wonder if they sold them there or if there's some jaywalkers site to get it from. but a ton of girls were wearing them. and he def. got the loudest screams of the night.
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77 Leonardswench
September 6, 2010 at 12:51 PM
I'm about to start one of two older dramas: Stairway to Heaven or Love Story in Harvard.
Any recommendations about which I should watch first? They are the next two on my recommended list, and as I've previously mentioned if you caught my posts, I have sometimes made hard-to-get-over choices about which dramas to watch after which dramas.
Now, there's a list for Javabeans in her FREE time (lmao!), what order dramas should be watched in, or a definitive list of dramas by mood.
Ha ha ha still laughing. That's so ambiguous and personal at the same time, how would a list like that work?
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janna
September 6, 2010 at 1:26 PM
I haven't watched Love Story in Harvard, except for a few scenes. I can tell you without seeing it that it has a handful of Engrish sprinkled in in first couple of episodes. It's a Love Story, not a dramafest....
On the other hand I have watched Stairway to Heaven to at least the better half of the last part, which I skimmed through for I am the only person who has never been enchanted by Kwon Sang-woo. It is a Makjang classic, starring the Queen of Tears so.. expect every cliche and then some.
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nycgrl
September 7, 2010 at 6:10 PM
I think I like you too much to have you watch either of these dramas. But if your in the mood for makjang type of camp go for Stairways to Heaven but I say Belleza's version of Stairways to Heaven is infinitely more entertaining.
I couldn't even get through 1 ep of Love Story in Harvard it was that terrible.
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78 Diadda
September 6, 2010 at 4:13 PM
Finished episode 3 of Sungkyunkwan Scandal moments ago and ooooo I want to talk about it sooo very bad. I haven't been this interested in characters and their development in a long while. The son of the War Minister is ...wow. That is a spoiler and a half if it is true. And then "Crazy Horse" has a whole what the heck tragic vibe about him. I love them all so much. And the pretty boy Song Joong Ki *sigh*. So far it's flawless except for the slightest hints of overacting by smaller less important rolls. And how much do I love that the female lead is not loosing to the hot manliness in my interest and time on screen.
Between this and MGiaG I think I am the happiest girl in kdrama land. Going to work now. see y'all in the morning!
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79 Leonardswench
September 6, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Truth be told, Diadda, I'm in k-drama heaven, having been sucked into Dong Yi, Baker King, MGiaG (still not entirely happy with the lead chemistry, but I'm taking it for what it is), IAL, SS, and PK ......
It's a good thing the kids are back in lessons every afternoon, giving me plenty of wait time outside of dance studios, piano and guitar and drum and voice lessons, play rehearsals, swim and tae kwon do to catch up on all of them. One of the kiddos said maybe she should drop piano and stay with me in the hall as I looked lonely and I had to bite my lip from saying "not on I am Legend's life" (I was in the middle of ep 8).
I am so ready to dive into SS discussion, but where do we do and not get yelled at for spoilers??
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Diadda
September 7, 2010 at 4:44 AM
***Spoilers***
Going all fangirl on Sungkyunkwan Scandal episode3.
First of all did you notice the characters of the leads can be correlated to existing fictional characters. Imagine if James Bond, Bruce Wayne, Robin Hood, Mulan and Duddly Do Right all met in college as students before they became what they are known for. Then place them in historic Korea. And I believe we have what I just saw.
Lee Sun Joon(Micky) is Duddly Do Right. So uptight an full of himself and always right morally and intellectually. It makes me giggle thinking about the problems he is going to have when he figures out the female lead is a she. Goo Yong Ha(Song Joong Ki) is James Bond. Hot sexy and plotting things more like a spy with cool calm and collective intellect. He's felt her up enough to know she is a girl. Now he sends her in for traps cause he thinks it's fun. Also willing to follow orders but goes rogue when it suits him. Ha In Soo(Leader of the pack) is a young and dashing Robin Hood, complete with daddy issues and noble rank. He flies through the air at night with bows and arrows, outing injustice wherever he can. Moon Jae Shin(Crazy Horse) is Bruce Wayne. Melancholy and angry with a touch of whimsy. Sleeping in back a alley and stopping the baddies. Not looking for thank you but for some kind of closure to his own problems.
I may over analyze but I could not stop myself. When I started to see the other characters pop up they became so clear.
Any way. I also wanted to talk about the setup of these characters. Placing this group together is like "Heroes". They are going to have to save the cheerleader or something in the last episode. Of course we are going to get team building episodes and love story too, but I want a major plot arc. Currently I am assuming it shall be against Robin Hood's dad, the lecherous Minister of War. He comes complete with twisty mustache so Duddly will know who to fight against. But we could also have yet another twist and have the true evil master mind be Duddly's father (cue evil music...don-Don-Don-Don!)
the possibilities are so many and so great I feel like I have a gift with this show.
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Leonardswench
September 7, 2010 at 9:49 AM
Ha ha ha ha, I can see it all now! SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
I assume Duddly Do Right, Robin Hood and Bruce Wayne will all discover she's a girl in the next few episodes AND each will have a different reason for keeping her identity a secret. Robin Hood will probably NOT discover his dad's nefarious sex schemes for our nubile Mulan, so it will have to be Bruce Wayne or Duddly Do RIght or James Bond who opens that pandora's box and fights for her purity. Each of the others then .... let's speculate on how they find her identity and why they choose to keep it protected/hidden.
It feels like Duddly Do Right will protect her because of her obvious superior intellect, and become the feminist that we all know is lurking within. He so admires her brains that he wants to deny his body's admiration for her. Oh, no, I think his libido may just trump his brain. The inner war begins. DUN DUN DUN DUN
James Bond is no fool when it comes to Mulan and he's going to continue to play his spy games and try to get her in his arms. The only reason Bond gives up a woman is for the greater good of mankind, so evil plot arc must come up, involving the Minister of War, his dad, the king, the prince, the dynasty. DUN DUN DUN DUN (bets he'll still get at least a kiss?)
Bruce Wayne will clearly not reveal our Mulan, he's got his own issues, but he's my top choice for who Mulan's heart thinks she wants to fall in love with. Aww, but it's just friendship and not twue wuv afterall, in the end, poor Wesley and Buttercup they are not, it's the friendship that frees Master Wayne to live on as Batman and changes his life for the good forever. It's epic and epically beautiful.
That leaves The Hood, then, and his Merry Men, to thwart the Minister of Wars mattress wrestling and vertical tango lessons. But, poor Robin, this is not his Maid Marian, just a damsel in distress who he must save over and over and over again. THRUST THWART THROW, he's gonna be a busy man and his little merry men, too.
Ha ha ha. Okay, seriously, I can see all of that happening and more.
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Diadda
September 7, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Yes it is a Spoiler Alert
Spoiler
I know they haven't officially revealed who the mystery man in black is, but I so want it to be the son of the Minister of War. Tried matching up the eyes and it looks like it is him for sure, but that could have been a stunt double. Especially after episode 4 which I just saw, I have hope and dreams in my plotting little mind it is him. I won't talk about that episode(fantastic to the extreme), but if man in black is Bruce Wayne I guess I can live with it. It would mean less and have less impact for the audience if that was the case.
As for episode 3, how many ways can I be jealous of Mulan. The torture of having to sleep between two hot guys over and over, semester after semester until graduation. OOH the humanity! And I absolutely love her nickname.
Duddly I think will be the last to figure it out. Needing as much time to dance around with sexual situations, Duddly would be to upright to do anything fun. But when he does figure it out. oh yeah. I agree his feminist "girls can do it too" thing will come out in a big way. Mister moral high ground will have a horrible time keeping it secret though.
James Bond oh how I love thee let me count the ways. Everything he does makes me smile.
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Leonardswench
September 9, 2010 at 8:58 AM
So, diadda, I'm having a little trouble watching SS raw: too many words that I'm not familiar with, I'm guessing, so I'm having to wait on the subbed episodes. Apologies, my Korean has improved a lot over the summer, but this one is hard for me personally, I'm missing nuances that I think must be important to the storyline.
(Sat there thinking, "that can't be right", "what was that word?" and, "wait, that didn't make sense".)
Diadda
September 9, 2010 at 7:13 PM
no problem. My Korean is not the greatest either. My comprehension is good but I have trouble with some of the historical stuff to. Ie the Confucian discussion the teacher was going on about. Also some of the more advanced play on words I have to rewind and play over again to comprehend. Luckily they are super duper good to look at.
It is like hearing "cow before the horse" or "Why buy the cow when the milk is free" Having a whole other culture's sayings and verbiage for saying is fun but it slows stuff down most of the time.
I like trying to watch "Gag concert" to help me though. Tongue twisters, culture refs and historic nonsense all utilized for every double meaning and laugh possible. That show is better than any high level language text book.
80 Leonardswench
September 7, 2010 at 3:01 AM
Just watched Speedy Scandal, and it was cute. Not too serious, not too light, a little unbelievable on the ages, but hey, movies are all about the suspension of reality!
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81 epyc
September 7, 2010 at 8:02 AM
@ supah
Reporting time - see the first (ever) four hints of smile of our "Dr Wang" in Gloria's Ep 12. It took 12 episodes to see him raise the side of his lips but so very worth it. I know your love of Giant (which I will catch up in Christimas) but don't ever forget Gloria.
http://tieba.baidu.com/f?kz=883154640
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supah
September 7, 2010 at 4:10 PM
Dude, thanks to that clip I rushed to go watch 3 & 4. Will continue watching...
Aww... those snaps. Dr Wang, he's so effin' precious and everything!
He's surrounded by some really annoying characters in the show though, as is Yoon-seo. No fair, Lee Chun-hee and Bae Doo-na get all the cool people to shack up with.
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82 ockoala
September 7, 2010 at 10:11 AM
OT Weekend
My lips are sealed, but it may or may not involve: snorting boba up our noses, getting the living daylights pounded out of us by little Asian ladies at a jimjjalbang which shall remain unnamed, eating so much waddling is permanently our gait, unable to find a certain Cosmo magazine and drowning our sorrows in....pinkberry, watching Jung Woo Sung mope around Amsterdamn, running around with a pig-rabbit (that's just me), and generally having the best time evar!
That is all.
Oh, and IAL has officially had ZERO major plot development in 4 episodes, it's thisclose to getting dropped by me despite all the feriocious acting by KJE and KSS.
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nycgrl
September 7, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Did any of these little adventures include being at all nakkid with your fellow OT boba addicts? Remind me to pass on the NYC leg of the OT tour.
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83 crzycpl
September 7, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Tube strike today, which means ... work from home day! Yay! Which also means that I can watch as many movies as I can in between responding to various e-mails etc.
So, first off was Tada Kimi wo Aishiteru (Heavenly Forest) .. because I just needed some Tamaki eye candy :P A slow moving movie at first, but the forest/lake is just beautiful. Such a peaceful movie. But the whole story/plot/idea .. wow, so sad. :*( If you kiss me now I might just die from happiness! *sob sob*
Moving on, to Blue Gate Crossing, my introduction to Wilson Chen. No idea who he is but sheesh, what dimples! Such a cutie. He has such a boyish charm. Love it. The movie itself was quite fun to watch and I was hoping that Meng Kerou would ask for a second kiss ... or that scene where they push each other in the gym would result in some skinship hugging or something!! *sigh*
Anyway, enough ranting and onto the next movie.
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crzycpl
September 7, 2010 at 1:42 PM
Just finished the Taiwanese/Japanese collaboration "About Love", story of the three Japanese/Chinese couples whose lives are somehow intertwined. Another Wilson Chen movie and although this time he wasn't the cute highschooler, there were glimpses of the dimples :P
Not sure if the dialogues in Chinese/Japanese collaborations are their strong point, but I guess it shows that actions speak louder than words.
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84 kristin
September 7, 2010 at 6:08 PM
Here's a question about skinship/romance/bloody noses. I am fairly new to k-dramas, and I did a marathon Sam Soon watching over the weekend. On the final episode, after they have sex, why do they both have bloody noses? Is this like the cell phone battery, to show that the power is really off (ie, to show they had a really good time)?
Additionally, all the other dramas I've watched thus far (not many) have had the lame mouths pressing together instead of actual kissing, but I noticed there was actual kissing in Sam Soon. Is this because they are older and so it's okay for them to move their mouths? Where is the line for mouths pressing, girl can't make any actual move to actual kissing? And I vastly prefer actual kissing (it throws me out of the show when the kisses are so dumb) are there any other dramas you can recommend along the same lines as Sam Soon (eg, more frank - frankish - conversation about sex, kissing, etc.)
Anyway, I noticed, and wanted to know.
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Diadda
September 7, 2010 at 7:22 PM
Usually Skinship/sexual situations in any drama is up to the actors, directors, and sometimes the writers of the show. Also the time the show airs in Korea is a big deal. If it is more of a family oriented thing you may not get the big hot realistic kisses.
The Bloody nose thing is more a Japanese reference. The idea is that your blood flow is interrupted when you get aroused and have naughty thoughts hence the bloody nose.
Shows with realistic hot kissing:
Coffee Prince
When It's at Night
What's Up Fox
Romance
My Girl
Boys over flowers(but I choose other versions Taiwan or japan)
City Hall
Iris
Goong
Personal Taste
I'm sure fellow OT'ers can add to this list. This is just what I can recall off the top of my head.
Also I have noticed that more recent dramas are getting away from the barely touching lip pressing thing. While I think this type of kiss can be sweet and convey a certain type of emotion. It can also be lacking when something strong is called for.
Spoiler
HnH2's most recent episode comes to mind. what the heck was that!?!
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lovenyc52
September 7, 2010 at 10:23 PM
ditto to the HnH2 remark. seriously wth?! we're suddenly in jr high now?! buchou is supposed to be like 40!! and i think hotaru is 27 or something. sigh.
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janna
September 8, 2010 at 2:20 AM
I thought you two weren't new to JDramas.
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Diadda
September 8, 2010 at 2:46 AM
Most Jdramas do have the "non-kiss" (a simple peck on the lips). But they do have exceptions. Mastumoto Jun has laid one on almost all of his leading ladies. From Kimi wa Petto all the way through to his current role he does it up right and he isn't the only one. Kimura Takuya is also not afraid of a little heavy kissing.
But your point is well taken Jdrama's don't kiss heavy often. I only hoped against hope that HnH2 would be an exception. Sigh.
trixicopper
September 8, 2010 at 12:47 AM
As a rule kissing in Kdramas IS pretty lame. There are exceptions of course. And I do think overall it's getting better. It does drive me crazy though when the guy goes in for the kiss and the girl stands there like a statue. :)
The whole nosebleed thing is more of a Jdrama thing. In Kdrama when someone gets a nosebleed the first thing going through at least my mind is Oh MY God! CANCER! :)
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belleza
September 9, 2010 at 3:05 AM
Yeah, K-dramas and J-doramas are not known for their hot and heavy action. (Korean movies, though, have some of the frankest stuff this side of France. Kim Rae Won and Bae Doo Na, definitely nothing is unknown between them . . . )
Some of it is market-based. K-dramas are targeted toward family or the housewife contingency. For example, KBS drew a little heat from Boys Before Flowers because its young characters were doing all sorts of silly stuff. That said, SBS tends to have K-dramas with more PDA, even raunchier material. Finally, you have cable.
J-dorama is kinda strange, because the Johnny dramas, which include the headliner big ratings stuff, are heavily regimented against the fangirl viewing audience. If you're a Johnny who hasn't reached past "junior" status, it's very unlikely that you'll get a kissing scene, because Johnny Entertainment doesn't want to alienate the fangirls. (Nobuta wo Produce can be watched as a deconstruction of being a "Johnny." The infamous ending perfectly reflects this rule.) Keep in mind, the fact that you see ANY female idol or actress having any kind of friendly relation with an actor produces a lot of heat from fangirls. Moreso than in Korea. (A Johnny needs to seem inaccessible to the mere fangirl. Godlike.) After they reach a certain age, then it's okay for a Johnny to have real kissing scenes. And, often, you may see some of the elite boys do the "Man Ritual" by doing a nude spread with usually a white woman to assert their sexuality in a way that reinforces heirarchy. A Johnny Man.
TW-dramas win out on this department. Part of the reason is that the culture is not as obsessed with congruity between public and private image. But, much of it is that TW idol dramas HEAVILY rely on shipper scenes in order to fill out episodes, which is why TW-dramas have the reputation of being so sweet and silly.
For the most part, K-drama chemistry is similar to American notions of screwball. It is about battle of wills, pleasurable conflict, and occasionally forceful gestures. That is the basis for k-drama sensuality, and for example something like What Happened in Bali is a good example. The kisses in it are cathartic kisses; angry kisses, guilty kisses. Good stuff yo!!
And even that said, I think the show I'm currently watching (Shooting from the Stars) may have the most skinship I've ever seen in a K-drama. By episode 3-4, she's slapping his butt, falling asleep in his arms, etc. And they hadn't even talked about having feelings for each other. They just enjoy being together. The chemistry between Jo In Sung and Jeon Do Yeon is WONDERFUL. Oh how I love this show.
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85 lovenyc52
September 7, 2010 at 10:20 PM
sigh. i just read about all this BS with that stupid 'we want the truth from tablo' (or whatever) cafe... not only are they still saying his graduation documentation is faked, but they're now going after his music and saying a bunch of songs are plagarized. wtf. this is just getting even more out of control and ridiculous. i feel for his family :( and what sucks more is that his bandmates aren't even with him at the moment to help him deal with this insanity.
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Diadda
September 7, 2010 at 10:54 PM
Tablo was the first rapper I knew outside of the states :) Totally love Epik High and support him all the way! I'll send the good vibes to him and his family :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RTl3HXK_NI
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notoriousnoona
September 7, 2010 at 11:16 PM
Yes it is on the insane side of reality. I mentioned it early because I wanted to see if it was only me that thought this was crazy.
I've read where people honestly think that "he's" wrong for wanted clear things up! It boggles the mind. I think someone mentioned his family and that is where I am. Why don't these people think about his wife, his kid, his parents? It's totally ridiculous. I am even sadder (as you mentioned) knowing that now with the EH speculations, he has to shoulder all that alone.
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86 yenchan
September 8, 2010 at 3:19 PM
@lovenyc52 - I meant to ask you - HOW WAS ISA!?!? DUDE - The NY concert was awesome...but the LA one looks pretty epic too. Did you go to the workshop beforehand? I actually got to meet and talk to WongFu there (well, more like they talked and I stammered like the fangirl that I am...)
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87 rambutan
September 9, 2010 at 6:15 AM
@Supah, re last week's OT you were looking for Into the Storm? I found it; it's available for download at AM-Addiction. http://www.am-addiction.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=14564.
I also watched Into the Sunlight and loved every episode of it. I've never seen Jang Hyuk that good looking! He was boyish almost. And, for the first time, I fell in love with Cha Tae Hyun as an actor. I've watched him in other dramas before, but he's never affected me... until Sunlight.
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supah
September 9, 2010 at 4:22 PM
Ohmygoodnesss!! YESSSSSSSSSSS!! *victory dance*
Thank you SO much, I'm going ahead and registering right now.
*plonks Into the Sunlight in Must-See (or diiiieee!!) list*
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88 mookie
September 9, 2010 at 7:03 AM
Playful Kiss is giving me a serious rendez-vous of Goong (DUH). not just stylistically and in technicalities, but my visceral connection with it.
I'm trying very very hard not to compare, but I have given up (don't worry it's not my usual caustic spew) After ep2, I'll shut up on beating the dead horse on the topic of KHJ and acting and ratings (and so should the world). It's not anywhere near stinkily bad deserving such a dismal rating; KHJ's definitely improved, he is serviceable, that alone is a pleasant surprise and I can drink to that. That has nth to do in factoring my opinion on it though, jumping in, I just have an urge to revisit the story or more simply the OTP... the impossibility of not just the familiar opposite attracts trope but the opposite of TWO annoying characters falling in simple, true love.
And that's what I'm on the fence, on one hand I thought I would definitely appreciate a less ditsy to the point of retardation Kotoko and a less royal pain in the behind Naoki, but what makes ISWAK precious to me is...as dumb and delusionally optimistic as a XQ or as unfeelingly cold to the point of cruel and asocial as a ZS, every human being deserves an OTP, u do not need to nec transform to a much better 'desirable' self to deserve love, sometimes u just need a trigger... to open your heart, your eyes and things start appearing more rosy... I made it through ISWAK's draggy parts because not only did I develop the typical shipping of the pair, these 2 characters are winning me over ever so gradually as individuals fr hate their guts to cute puppies in human forms that I wanna adopt.
But in PK, these 2 r charming and normal enough off the bat, the cold prince is already noticing our 'ugly duckling' and barely 2 eps in, and I'm already missing the tension or the grinding of my teeth and throwing plush toys in annoyance and frustration over these sillies (which will guarantee a much more satisfying rewarding OTP swoon later on, FACT). Aside fr the cuteness, I may need more push and pull to keep me on my seat. And I think PD and writer is actually missing a great opportunity by playing it too safe to explore that and make these 2 more extreme and imo more befitting the fanciful dreamland tone. I do think all the other characters are in the hands of more talented actors, and hopefully it'll tide me over. Nobody can not be in love with Mom. I sit up straighter, my eyes glow wider in glee whenever the girlfriends are in frame.
And can I just throw in, I FINALLY get the full experience of the girly giddy joy of gushing over a Flower4. As an HYD anti, the original F4, all 4 of them, annoyed the heck out of me in their own ways in different reincarnations. BUT SKKS is honestly giving me 4 (or 5) boys that is making me hormonal in their own different way and no longer holding a very strong stance against a specific polygamy of marrying multiple pretty boys. Also, I can relate to any densha with a moe on ALL the Sailor Moons. *shake hands* I get it, finally!
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celestialorigin
September 9, 2010 at 6:47 PM
"Also, I can relate to any densha with a moe on ALL the Sailor Moons. *shake hands* I get it, finally!"
Is this a mystery solving question? I must be overworked or simply slow;(. I didn't get it... Mookie sama, Could you explain what it means, please?
As for PK, I just can't get into it. I guess, that's because I've recently finished ISWAK and I was so entranced by the main couple, Joe and Ariel, they were so charming as a pair. I found Ariel very intriguing actress. She can look plain or she can look beautiful, like she's got a secret portion to transform herself... Joe, Aw! He's simply gorgeous<3<3<3
SKK, It's like I'm in ice cream parlor, being presented assortments of cute boys to choose from. All of them are so appealing. But for me, Yoochun! if he's there, I'd watch it even it sucks and it doesn't at all actually. I just stare at his pretty face for an entire hour(Heaven!)and I'm in paradise:)
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mookie
September 10, 2010 at 2:34 AM
o celestialorigin-sama, no grown men will openly admit it but Sailor Moon to them is F4 to us. Although the sentai pretty girls genre esp Sailor Moon caters to the toddlers/tween girls when I was in highsch, we all know each one of the color coded babes will fit perfectly into a specific moe mold and catch the fancy of a densha otoko as his ultimate dreamgirl. Sailor Moon is their Domyoji, Mercury is their Rui.
The same with the F4 to a lesser extent, it's always a Domyoji vs Rui (and the occasional Sojiro, and even fewer Akira) favoritism amongst the HanaDan fangirls. Imho, Domyoji has DV written all over him, Rui will either get killed by me for being an emo queen or bore me silly and sorry, the weakest gaydar can sniff the BL OTP of Domyoji+Rui, if it's up to Rui, he'll sTART the OT3 shipping. Sojiro is a PLAYER with a first love complex and Akira is a YAKUZA heir + ajumma playboy! And in the back of my mind, I'm always confused, IF they r SO flowery and sparkling, why cant we crush them ALL, hard choices are HARD!
But in SKKS, the pretty boys are each given enough and equal depth and dreamy froth (them being ALL smart enough by their own right to get into SKK is rocking my boat) and I'm rooting for ALL of them just like you and Diadda. Our heroine is having chemistry w/ each and every one of them in a different flavor to the point I am not OTP shipping AT ALL. A perfect saguek boyrem for us!! ;)
Oh, I have eaten buckets of my own words on Ariel, I'll be forever her slave and kiss the ground she's tread fr now on. One of my long time gf who forced ISWAK on me SAVED msn convos we had on how 'ugly' and insanely annoying I ranted ON and ON about Ariel/XQ when I first watched ISWAK. I was foolish and blind, but now I SEE!
@twin, nycgrl and OT sistas
NO WAY I'm missing 100,000 SQ FT jjimjalbang + silver fox dimpled cutie + hand holding! I'll get butt naked as long as there's no mirror...it's y'all that will have burnt eyes for all I care.
@twin
I'm still mildly enjoying PK, halfway into ep2, it's watchable because I've readjusted my perspective. I'm watching it w/ less emphasis on the OTP (still cute, but I'm a masochist, I need intense stinky assholery fr SJ, just like I like my stinky tofu STINKY! :) ). All the side characters are giving me a ball and much truer in essence to the manga and I agree the whimsy is on the money.
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Diadda
September 9, 2010 at 7:21 PM
Agreed will everything you said Mookie. Everything!
Except I was never Anti F4 I was just never wanting ALL 4. SKKS is different. I truly want all of them. It's like pokemon. "Gotta catch'em all"
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Leonardswench
September 11, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Amen, sistah!
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89 ockoala
September 9, 2010 at 4:27 PM
@ nycgrl
Oh noes you don't, you're leading the NYC leg of the OT tour. I simply MUST see that 100,000 sq foot jjimjalbang. If I fall asleep, will a certain silver-haired dimpled cutie come hold my hand? I can dream, can't I?
@ mookietwin
I probably love PK the most out of everyone of us, but it's losing the Goong similarities and gaining its own identity up to ep4. I'm glad you're watching, too. :-)
As for SKKS, I'm so onboard, I need to watch ep4 then I am caught up. And I also caught up on Giant now as well, and my heart feels a mite tired from watching so much awesomeness I might explode. Yeah, it's just that good.
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90 amg01
September 9, 2010 at 7:23 PM
I just finished "Gakeppuchi no Eri", all I can say is that this is a very "Heart warming" drama, again the thing that I am most interest in a drama is the "story line" what ever that may mean, I really like when dramas have a true to life content that one can relate to not just in the "realm of Fantasy", I give this drama a 9 out of ten!!!!!
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