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2010 Editors’ Picks [Year in Review, Part 5]

Here we are, Part 5!

As girlfriday said in her review, I’d also like to thank guest bloggers Dahee Fanel and thunderbolt for participating in this year’s year-in-review roundup. A particular thank-you goes out to GF herself for being so game to jump into this whole world of crazy with me, and I think you’ll all agree when I say that Dramabeans is better for her addition to it. I never fail to get a huge kick out of her wicked humor, or for Dahee’s frank and bold insights, or thundie’s thoughtful eloquence. We don’t always agree, but that’s exactly why I love hearing the differing points of views.

Most of all, thanks to the DB readership — that means you! — who have been so supportive, vibrant, and often laugh-out-loud funny. We don’t take you guys for granted, rest assured, and are honored by the community you’ve built here. It’s like a second home, which sounds like a metaphor but actually isn’t because with all the hours I spend here, it really IS one.

So here’s the last of the reviews! With that, we bid adieu to the past year and look forward to lots more laughs, craziness, and yes, head-pounding-WTF-ery in the new year. Bring it on, 2011.

SONG OF THE DAY

Standing Egg – “First Christmas.” The song’s a day or two late, but no matter: Hope your Christmas (or other seasonal holiday) was merry! [ Download ]

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2010 Editors’ Picks

 

BEST DRAMA SERIES

Joseon X-Files

javabeans: On its own, Joseon X-Files is a standout, weaving together story, direction, ambiance, and emotional threads while also succeeding at being a kick-ass sci-fi mystery thriller. But when you step back and compare it against the rest of the dramas this year (as we did when compiling this here list), it’s all the more noteworthy for standing so far ahead of the pack. It was exciting and driven by heart-pounding suspense, but had a brain behind all the stylish camera work and smart editing. As a whole package, it’s a gem of a near-perfect product. The k-drama landscape is better for counting Joseon X-Files among its ranks.

Honorable Mention: Jejoongwon, My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho

 

BEST ACTOR

Jang Hyuk, Chuno

Dahee Fanel: There are always those actors whom you watch in a few shows and think, “Huh. He’s decent,” and then you immediately forget about them once they’re not actually in front of you. Jang Hyuk was one of those actors for me. He’s been around for years, and has always shown good performances and potential, but he’s never really tapped into it…until now. His performance in Chuno was a tour de force of passion and power, the kind of acting that left me breathless and in shock at what he had become. Here he holds nothing back, and BECAME Dae-gil, a human being whom you couldn’t always like, but who always felt real. His emotions were so raw and viscerable that I felt they were reaching out of the screen to dig into my chest and clutch at my heart. His performance elevated Chuno to make it become an even better drama than it was. How many actors can boast of that?

 

Rain, Runaway Plan B

javabeans: Most acting awards — Western, Asian, or otherwise — tend to use dramatic acting as the default, but I credit Rain’s performance in Runaway Plan B to his comedic skills as much as his dramatic ones. While I didn’t always love his character’s cheesetastic flirt mode, I really believed in Ji-woo’s integrity as a person underneath the frivolous jokester exterior, even when his partner, Lee Na-young, wasn’t so sure. Playing a cocky lothario who uses laughter as a coping mechanism, Rain managed to weave together Ji-woo’s glib humor and serious intensity into an intricate net, then switched back and forth between the two with ease and, more importantly, emotional credibility. Also? Dude can fight.

Honorable Mention: Hyun Bin (Secret Garden), Park Yong-woo (Jejoongwon)

 

BEST ACTRESS

Moon Geun-young, Cinderella’s Sister

girlfriday: Moon Geun-young had a hell of a year. I can’t say that either of her dramas didn’t each drive me crazy in their own sadistic way, but through no fault of hers, that’s for sure. The Nation’s Little Sister transformed herself in her most memorable role to date, the one that really made me stand up and take notice of her for the first time. Gone was the sweet and innocent young ingenue, and in her place stood a heartbreakingly wounded, feral animal, otherwise known as Eun-jo the friendly neighborhood porcupine. Moon called forth a darkness and an angst from the depths of her soul, and she exuded the raw emotion in every fiber of her being. She was utterly mesmerizing, and the fact that she followed it with Mary and made that character equally believable is a testament to her phenomenal range.

 

Shin Eun-kyung, Flames of Desire

thunderbolt: In a 50-episode drama, you expect the lead actress to take her time easing into her role, so that her character can be unpeeled like the skin of an onion. You certainly do not expect her to knock your jaw to the floor in the very first episode and to trample on said jaw until it’s a bloody mess. This is a leading performance like no other in the last few years; I tried to think of another actress who could match Shin Eun-kyung in sheer mesmerizing power, but no, she made even Go Hyun-jung in last year’s Queen Seondeok look like a lamb. Whether you love or loathe Flames of Desire, there’s no question about its lead actress’s performance. She simply has no equal this year. Is her Yoon Na-young just vastly misunderstood as a wife and mother, or is she shaping up to be the villain of all time? There’s no telling at this point because this is one character you can’t pin down.

Honorable Mention: Kim Ji-hyun (My Sister’s March)

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Kim Gab-soo, Cinderella’s Sister, Jejoongwon, Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Joseon X-Files, Home Sweet Home, and every drama ever

Dahee Fanel: This has really been Kim Gab-soo’s year. Not only did he act in a billion and a half dramas (as well as a movie and a sitcom), he also acted in many of them simultaneously, often portraying completely different characters. Which isn’t that rare for a veteran actor used to playing supporting roles to do. But he managed to be memorable in every single role, and also upped his popularity considerably, which is something that not everyone can claim. Whether it was as the slimy villain in Merchant Kim Mandeok, the stern father in Sungkyunkwan Scandal, the World’s Best Stepdad in Cinderella’s Sister, or the mystery man with the pipe in Joseon X-Files, he gave depth and charisma to every character he took on, and lit up the screen with his very presence. It also helps that he has the sexiest eyes of a K-drama ahjusshi evaaaaah. And yes, in case you were wondering: He’s MINE.

 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Lee Mi-sook, Cinderella’s Sister

javabeans: Lee Mi-sook’s character was based on the familiar archetype of Cinderella’s Evil Stepmother, but she made Kang-sook into so much more than that. Hard, calculating, and selfish up the wazoo, she’s a character you’d expect to hate as a stereotypical stand-in for the kdrama villain… if only Lee Mi-sook hadn’t given her such dimension. While you could hardly admire her, you had to admire her resourcefulness and deftness at self-preservation, which sometimes yielded devilishly funny moments (her feigned hysteria at a funeral? Hilarious). Underneath her cold, manipulative shell (albeit one thick and impenetrable enough to rival the Great Wall of China), there was a woman who felt self-loathing, guilt, and love. Though she’d sell her daughter before admitting it to anyone else. Lee Mi-sook was commanding and fascinating, and above all entertaining.

 

Eom Ji-won, The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry

girlfriday: She had her whole wedding planned, right down to who would catch the bouquet…all she needed was a man. Jung Da-jung is that friend we all have, whose single-minded obsession with marriage lands her in the wackiest of situations, but Eom Ji-won also managed to imbue her with such empathy, and loneliness, and love. It’s hard to be emotionally vulnerable, and even harder to be funny while doing it; Eom was pitch-perfect as the Chanel-wearing, guru-chasing girl on a marriage mission who wore her heart on her designer sleeve.

Honorable Mention: Sung Hyun-ah (Flames of Desire)

 

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST

Comrades

thunderbolt: How many actors acted their hearts out in this war drama? I started counting and gave up after I ran out of fingers and toes. In a cast of hundreds, so many stood out in Comrades it’s unfair to single out just a few for special mention. Whether playing a general or just an unnamed soldier, an old village elder or a child, everyone delivered in this heart-wringer of a drama. In a year of exceptional ensembles (because this was such a great year for kdramas!), you can’t watch this ensemble and not be moved or changed. The group camaraderie is the best this year, as though these actors have worked together all their lives. When a character in Squad One goes missing or is killed, the sense of loss is so palpable it’s like losing a piece of one’s body. It’s no wonder fans of the drama can’t listen to the lyrics of the theme song and not experience an onrush of tears. “O friend, my dear friend. I will never forget you until the day we meet again.”

 

The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry

thunderbolt: This was my favorite ensemble until Comrades came along, but it is still tops for giving me the most toasty-warm-from-head-to-toe feelings. Everyone jelled in this drama that repeatedly made me burst out in raucous laughter. Their individual comic timing was perfect but as a whole they brought the house down. But I love this perfect rom-com not just because it made me light-headed with joy, I adore it for the chemistry between the cast members. Be they playing best friends, housemates or soul mates, they obviously had so much fun together. Each role was expertly cast, with Park Jin-hee and Eom Ji-won as standouts. This is one drama to watch over and over, its ebullience carrying you along on its heady and heartfelt way.

Honorable Mention: Sungkyunkwan Scandal

 

BEST DIRECTING

Joseon X-Files

Dahee Fanel: Here’s a fact: Joseon X-Files would not have been the amazing drama it was without the brilliant directing. With this kind of story, with a mixing of the sageuk and sci-fi genres, execution is everything. And JXF got execution down to an art. From the fascinating camerawork to the gorgeous lighting to the tight editing, it made the already wonderful script seem even more genius, and captured the actors’ best moments. It’s enough to make you count down the days until Kim Heung-dong announces his next drama.

Honorable Mention: Bad Guy, Chuno

 

BEST WRITING

Joseon X-Files

javabeans: Sometimes cryptic, sometimes elusive, Joseon X-Files doesn’t hand you the easy answer or dumb its story down. It assumes its viewership is smart, and therefore makes you feel smart when you start to put together the clues, seeing how the pieces fit together in the world they’ve created. No, it doesn’t wrap up everything in a neat bow, but for a show whose premise is all about the unknowability of absolute Truth, we could hardly expect the key to the universe. Instead, the drama raised questions and showed us the path to various different possible answers, allowing us to determine what Truth meant to us, just as its main character does over the course of his journey into the world of the supernatural. Sharp, mysterious, fascinating.

Honorable Mention: My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho

 

BEST MUSIC/SOUNDTRACK

Sungkyunkwan Scandal

javabeans: Stately, uplifting, dignified on one hand. Cheery, playful, animated on the other. A drama that combines the giddy schooltime antics of energetic, hormone-driven young scholars (and a crossdressing girl) with the gravitas of court politics and government intrigue needs a score/soundtrack to encompass all extremes of its material, and somehow Sungkyunkwan Scandal’s music does it. Whether we’re talking lush, delicate instrumentals or even the occasional modern pop song, the music enhanced the drama of the moment while refraining (mostly) from being overbearing (I admit to finding a few modern selections a bit jarring). Just as a particular scent can take you back to a specific childhood memory, listening to the soundtrack now calls to mind particular scenes and fills me with corresponding feelings of youthful optimism, idealism, and/or giddiness. I’d say it’s done its job.

Honorable Mention: Flames of Desire, Bad Guy, Jejoongwon

 

BEST COMEDY SERIES

My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho

javabeans: You know what makes a good comedy great? When it makes me cry as heartily as it makes me laugh. Granted, the ratio of laughs to tears was (thankfully) skewed much more heavily in favor of laughs with My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho, as it should be. Furthermore, the humor was often rooted in fundamental themes that drove the drama, tying the comedy thematically into the mythology of the narrative. Double bonus points. Scenarios included Mi-ho’s adorable explorations of what it means to be human, whether it’s eating her face cream (“Yum!”) or using cows as a barometer of all that is good in the world. Add to that a wimpy hero and an assertive heroine who was unashamed to want love (and skinship!); Gumiho spun common tropes on their heads to give us comic beats that were as refreshing as Mi-ho’s favorite bubbly-fizz water.

 

Harvest Villa

Dahee Fanel: Comedy is one of the most difficult of art forms, so when one succeeds at it, the taste of it is that much sweeter. Harvest Villa is one of those comedies that comes along only every once in a long while. It’s a riotously funny show, but it also has a dark side, as the best comedies do. It’ll use a moment of extreme tension and then turn it around at the last minute to force a surprised laugh out of you. It’s smart, never too over-the-top, and has great timing. True, the comedy petered off in the second half in favour of more suspense and darkness, but ultimately it was a show that really understood the strength of laughter, and the humour in little moments.

Honorable Mention: The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry

 

BEST HISTORICAL SERIES

Jejoongwon

thunderbolt: Set during the twilight years of the Joseon dynasty, during an era of tumultuous change, this drama is unwavering in its vision: a faithful retelling of a historical event that many people aren’t aware of. The writing stays focused through the 20-year span of the drama’s story, beginning and ending with one man’s astonishing journey from butcher in a despised caste to surgeon in Korea’s first Western-style hospital. Interwoven with that central story are other stories that will grip and move you. The directing is splendid and always sensitive, with cinematography that is achingly beautiful but never self-engrossed. Straddling both the ancient and the modern, the sets and costumes are reinvented with grace and boldness. Yoo Seok-ran’s (Han Hye-jin) hanboks are a visual feast in themselves, so much so you want to steal both her clothes and her dad!

 

Joseon X-Files

thunderbolt: Unidentified flying objects and otherworldly occurrences in 17th-century Joseon? This is the basic premise of this masterpiece of a drama. Fabulously written, directed and acted, and also barrels of fun, Joseon X-Files is both awe-inspiring and humbling. (No drama will make you feel smaller this year.) It tells multiple stories, each one beguiling in itself, but its message is singular: the Truth is out there and it’s stranger than anything we can imagine. Helmed by a small but fantastic cast, and imbued with a pulsating energy that will suck you in and leave you breathless, this cable drama has done what no other period drama has managed to do before: make ancient Joseon suddenly hip and happening. We demand a sequel or two, Station!

Honorable Mention: Sungkyunkwan Scandal, King Geunchogo

 

BEST ACTION AND/OR THRILLER SERIES

Chuno

Dahee Fanel: My heart still beats a little faster when I remember all those scenes of chaser versus chased, the gorgeous fight sequences that emphasized every straining muscle in the actors’ gleaming bodies, and the sharp editing and exciting music that heightened the tension that much more. The scenes were also very creative, using different tools to make them feel fresh each time, such as the three-on-three fight, or the fight on the beach with emphasis on the rippling of water. And best of all, the action ultimately had an emotional throughline – you sat on the edge of your seat while watching Dae-gil chasing Tae-ha because you wondered if THIS would be the time he would finally encounter the love of his life, Un-nyun. How could it possibly get any better than that?

 

Runaway Plan B

javabeans: It comes as no surprise, then, that the same writer-director-production team that did Chuno also brought us Runaway Plan B. Runaway’s action sequences were plentiful and creative, and to make up for their excess (lots of running without enough plot movement made for some repetitive episodes early on), the drama gave us a cornucopia of innovative fighting methods and backdrops — in cars, on high-rises, onto trains, among crowds, underwater. Initially played for slick entertainment, we soon got to see the emotional undercurrent driving the best fight scenes, which revolved around a wrongly accused Ji-woo struggling to prove his innocence, against the cop who was at first convinced of his guilt and then came around as grudging ally. Then the goofiness stepped aside to up the stakes and allow real danger to befall our underdog Casanova, making for a fun, sometimes silly, sometimes intense thrill ride.

 

BEST VILLAIN

Jung Bo-seok as Jo Pil-yeon, Giant

thunderbolt: In one of the most chilling scenes of the year, a father bashes his grown-up son with such viciousness it causes his unflinchingly loyal lackey to scream out, “Stop! You’re going to kill him!” But nothing stops Jo Pil-yeon, least of all blood ties. This man will do everything to get what he wants. See how his eyes gleam, with nefarious intents, as he gazes upon a little boy; it’s enough to make our blood curdle. In this 60-episode drama, no one laughs as much as this villain, but it is laughter that terrifies rather than titillates. So frightening is Jo Pil-yeon, it’s the first time that I do not care for a Jung Bo-seok character. The times that I watched this veteran actor previously, he played flawed humans who possessed a certain charm that made you waffle between dislike and grudging admiration. But not this time. I watched transfixed as usual, because this actor is gold, but I couldn’t wait for his character’s comeuppance and eventual downfall. For making Jo Pil-yeon this year’s most unforgettable villain, thanks and no thanks, Jung Bo-seok.

 

Kim Hye-ok as Madam Shin, Bad Guy

girlfriday: You better watch out/ You better not cry/ You better not pout/ I’m telling you why/ Santa Claus is coming to town/ He knows when you’ve been killing/ He knows when you’re a snake/ He knows if you’ve been bad or good/ So be good for goodness sake/ You better not gloat/ You better not lie/ You better go choke/ I’m telling you why/ Santa Claus is coming to town

 

BEST COUPLE

Lee Seung-gi & Shin Mina, My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho

girlfriday: Dimples, Ahoy! What these two lacked in maturity, they made up for in sweet, unadorned, bask-in-the-sun sincerity. They made us cry when it rained, swoon when they they touched, and die of laughter when Mi-ho wanted some lovin’… which was all the time. Of the twenty(!) dramas I watched this year, this was the only couple who moved my stone-cold tear ducts to let loose the floodgates. For that alone, they deserve a prize. One giant chicken leg, coming up. I felt just like Woong on that fateful first day: as soon as this couple entered my life, they stuck to me like superglue. They defied the laws of the universe to be together. What could possibly be more romantic than that?

 

Kang Ji-hwan & Park Shi-yeon, Coffee House

javabeans: Coffee House had its uneven spots, and there were probably bubblier, cuter romance dramas this year. But the relationship between Kang Ji-hwan and Park Shi-yeon is one that stands out for skirting clichés, as well as being mature and passionate rather than being the cute puppy-love dynamic that characterizes so many trendies. These two are best friends before they’re lovers, and carry relationship baggage into their romance, lending it a dash of realism. She’s strong, feisty, and utterly winning, while he uses his eccentricity as a defense mechanism. But when you cut through facades and comic gags, the love between them is palpable and imbued with emotion.

Honorable Mention: Lee Seon-kyun & Gong Hyo-jin (Pasta), Park Yong-woo & Han Hye-jin (Jejoongwon)

 

BEST ALTERNATE PAIRING

Yoo Ah-in & Park Min-young, Sungkyunkwan Scandal

thunderbolt: We knew where Yoon-hee’s heart lay, but that did not stop us from wishing fervently for a miracle: a Yoon-hee twin or clone. What we would do for Jae-shin’s happiness! From the instant he saw and saved her, his curiosity grew, even if he professed otherwise. He asked her never to appear before him again, but when she did, his heart skipped a beat and soon gave him away; he could not help the hiccups. The first to discover her true identity, that she was a woman in disguise, he protected her in a way that made us swoon and giggle. She in turn adored him as she would a brother or best friend; he was the one she sought when she was beset with doubts or just needed someone to talk to. They were two puppies at play, bantering with such ease it made a certain someone jealous and confused. Jae-shin had never smiled so gleefully on the Sungkyunkwan campus until Yoon-hee came along, nor hurt so deeply. In an alternate universe, they would be the perfect couple. Hear our prayers, ye drama gods!

Honorable Mention: Lee Tae-ran & Kim Myung-soo (Comrades), Jung So-min & Lee Tae-sung (Playful Kiss)

 

BEST BROMANCE

Yoo Ah-in & Song Joong-ki, Sungkyunkwan Scandal

girlfriday: It’s the bromance that spawned the fanfic boom of the century. And Lawd have mercy, for some of those youtube videos were just, um, Idon’tknowbecauseIdidn’twatchanyofthem-onrepeatIswear. Now we know what the REAL scandal at Sungkyunkwan was all about. Ahem. But beyond the subtext was a friendship that was as grounded as it was noble and heroic. Yong-ha’s unparalleled affection for his tough-guy bestie was the sweetest surprise of the year. Who says your BFF can’t be the love of your life? Relationships come and go, but a true blue friend is for keeps. It should be the highest compliment you could pay to a friend: You’re the Jae-shin to my Yong-ha. Or vice versa depending on who’s the bigger badass.

 

FAVORITE CHARACTER

Gu Mi-ho (Shin Mina), My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho

girlfriday: I was ready to throw down on this one. **waves fists ineffectually** This category had a four-way tie, but I bullied everyone for the win. Because, HELLO, gumiho totally trumps human! Mi-ho was a revelation. Two parts Anya (centuries old being who takes everything literally) and one part newborn (wide-eyed with wonder), she brought a whole new kind of heroine to the k-drama landscape. The most impressive thing about her wasn’t even her super-strength or her ability to eat her weight in cow, but her unflinching open heart for her one and only Woong-ah. She made love look easy, and life seem precious. Best. Character. Ever. **finger guns**

Honorable Mention: Seo Eun-young (Park Shi-yeon) in Coffee House, Park Il-kwon (Kim Roe-ha) in Comrades, Hwang Jung (Park Yong-woo) in Jejoongwon

 

BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE

Yoo Ah-in, Sungkyunkwan Scandal

thunderbolt: If you poll Sungkyunkwan Scandal viewers, you’ll likely find that some think Micky Yoochun acquitted himself well, while some others want him to stick to singing. Try finding such a divide where Yoo Ah-in is concerned. Everyone, and I mean practically everyone, loves our Guh-ro. As far as I can remember, there has never been a breakout performance like this one, where the second male lead in a drama is loved so universally and fiercely. The moment Yoo Ah-in’s Moon Jae-shin appeared in the marketplace in Episode 1, a bidding war broke out among viewers. “Mine, mine!” chants rang out; by the end of the drama, new YAI-dedicated blogs had sprung up and reams of fanfiction penned in his honor. Those who had watched him before marvelled at the newfound fervor even as they themselves were swept along; they always knew he could act, but holy cow, the Yoo Ah-in in SKKS was startlingly different. He nailed every scene and broke our hearts in tandem with how his own broke, he acted with such strength and also gentleness. Never has scruffy been this gorgeous.

Honorable Mention: Jung So-min (Playful Kiss)

 

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Road No. 1

Dahee Fanel: I will never forgive MBC for ruining a potentially good (or even great) drama by pushing the brilliant Kim Jin-min out of the main director’s chair, and replacing him with that sorry excuse for a PD named Lee Jang-soo. Road No. 1 should not have become the mess that it did, and my heart bleeds to this day at the thought of what it could have been. I mean, sure, Han Ji-hoon is a very flawed writer, but he worked with Kim Jin-min in Time Between Dog and Wolf too, and that drama was simply cracktastic. No, I have to blame it all on Lee Jang-soo, who insisted on emphasizing the romantic storylines, and made it painfully obvious every time he directed a scene. It is him I blame for the bad acting, him I blame for the incredibly schizophrenic mood, and him I blame for what is my biggest disappointment of the year.

 

Mary Stayed Out All Night

girlfriday: You take Jang Geun-seok, Moon Geun-young, and Kim Jae-wook, put them in a trendy rom com, and THIS is what you get? How is that even mathematically possible? By all accounts this should have been Full-House-meets-You’re-Beautiful. Instead it’s a cautionary tale for drama writers: knowing that they’re cliches does not make it subversive. If there’s ever a drama that wasted its talent, it’s Mary, bar none.

Honorable Mention: Personal Taste

 

BIGGEST WASTE OF TALENT

Sohn Ye-jin, Personal Taste

Dahee Fanel: Sohn Ye-jin is one of the most talented young actresses working in Korea today. End of story. So why did she agree to star in something like Personal Taste, which wasted her immense talents so? It is true that it has been a very bad year for K-actresses in Chungmuro, with few meaty roles for them to choose from. So it’s understandable if she figured that this was a good time to flex her romcom acting muscles a little more, and widen her audience. But couldn’t she have chosen a romcom that at least understood what kind of talent it was working with? Couldn’t she have chosen to play a character that actually widened her scope as an actress? Oh well. I’m just going to pretend Personal Taste never happened, and wait eagerly for her to choose her next (hopefully better) project.

Honorable Mention: So Ji-sub (Road No. 1)

 

MOST OVERRATED DRAMA

Baker King Kim Tak-gu

Dahee Fanel: Baker King is a perfect example of makjang, the kind of show that throws all integrity to the winds and opts to do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, for the sake of ratings and money. Each episode I watched had me rolling my eyes and laughing out loud at parts it clearly meant to be serious. It is predictable and brainless, and yet it garnered over 50% in ratings in Korea. That’s good news for the cast and crew, but it was annoying for everyone not caught up in the hype to be faced with it wherever they went. With this show’s success, it signals to broadcasters that makjang works, and makes them keep dishing out the same old tripe, over and over again, in hopes of repeating the previous dramas’ successes. I can’t wait for this trend to be over. (It will end eventually…right? Please say yes!) [God, if only. Not in our lifetimes. -gf]

 

Chuno

thunderbolt: It began with a bang, pulling in 23% ratings (4th in the nation) and then took off like a speed demon from Episode 5, never once relinquishing its lead in the Wednesday-Thursday primetime slot. It even saved the best for last; the night it aired its final episode, 36% of households were tuned in. If only it were deserving of that sort of following. This was a drama eagerly anticipated for months before its airing, as it teased and excited with its seductive stills and trailers. It lured us in with its opening desert scene, so jaw-dropping in its beauty. And then it slowly dawned on us, with disconcerting clarity, that our expectations of greatness were just a mirage in the making. The plot meandered along, losing its bearings in pursuit of style rather than a solid story. Its characters, most of them, left us cold and eventually disinterested. It was never really bad a drama, with masterful directing that got carried away, but it could have been so good.

Honorable Mention: Sungkyunkwan Scandal

 

MOST UNDERRATED DRAMA

The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry

girlfriday: It came and went quietly on the drama landscape, but this funny, true-to-life, heartfelt comedy about the friendship between three thirtysomething women is definitely this year’s diamond in the rough. It takes three very different friends on a journey through harsh, side-splitting, and heartbreaking moments in life and love, to help them discover that age is just a number, life never goes the way you plan it, and family is the friend who scrapes you off the asphalt when life gets you down. Literally.

Honorable Mention: Jejoongwon, My Sister’s March, Freedom Fighter Lee Heo Young

 

BEST USE OF AN IDOL STAR

Micky Yoochun, Sungkyunkwan Scandal

javabeans: There were a LOT of idol stars in the drama world this year. With this trend comes a stigma that has become attached to idol-actors (Korea even coined a new word, the 연기돌, akin to saying the act-dol, or id-act — yeah, it doesn’t translate well). While that fear/skepticism is often proven true, a number of idols held their own. Micky Yoochun was one of the idol-actors under the most scrutiny — to be tackling a debut in a lead role and a historical piece — and surprised many by being…well, not bad at all. To be honest I can’t say he was revelatory, but he gave Sun-joon a fitting noble, principled air. Was it good acting or good casting? Probably a bit of both; ultimately what mattered to me was that I bought him as Sun-joon and thoroughly enjoyed his and Yoon-hee’s nerdy romance without once thinking, “If only he weren’t an idol-actor, we could have had a better Sun-joon…”

Honorable Mention: Taecyeon (Cinderella’s Sister)

 

WORST USE OF AN IDOL STAR

Kim Hyun-joong, Playful Kiss

javabeans: You write this blurb!
girlfriday: No, YOU do it!
javabeans: I can’t. You saw the uproar when I called him a bad actor.
girlfriday: But do you disagree with that?
javabeans: Um… is this mic on? *tap tap*
girlfriday: I be scared of hate mail.
javabeans: I get WAY more hate mail than you do!
girlfriday: Because you’ve been running the site for four years. That’s bound to add up.
javabeans: He’s back to having straight hair. I have nothing positive to say.
girlfriday: But…fangirls are scary.
javabeans: YEAH they are.

 

MOST GLORIOUS MANE OF GLORY

Yoo Ah-in, Sungkyunkwan Scandal

girlfriday: Is it just me, or was it the Year of Hair? I’ve watched k-dramas pretty much my whole life, but never have I noticed such an emphasis placed on hair: from idol oppa perms to 80s rock mullets, hair took on a life of its own this year, and went beyond just the latest fashion craze. In some cases it was the make-or-break IT factor that turned actors into characters, became dominant character traits themselves, and even became plot devices to chart characters’ emotional changes. The honor of Most Glorious Mane of Glory goes to Yoo Ah-in, whose transformation from cutie pie into Badass Messenger Hottie was ALL ABOUT THE HAIR. Honorable Mentions include: Jang Geun-seok (Mary Stayed Out All Night) for Most Glorious Mane of Androgyny, Moon Geun-young (Cinderella’s Sister) for Most Glorious Mane of Angst, Kim Bum (The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry) for Most Glorious Mane As Grand Gesture, and Noh Min-woo (Rock Rock Rock) for Most Glorious Mane of Rock.

 
Annnnnd…. that’s it! Onward to the new year!

 
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HAHA!!!...
I really LAUGH-OUT-LOUD at the worst use of an idol category. *still LOLing* (^____^)
Hope the fangirls are not too rash too both of you JB and GF.

I love Yoo Ah In!♥♥♥
That's all I can say.

GUH-RO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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with it's "best drama" award, joseon x-files is now on my to-watch list. have been sitting on the fence for this one.

the last rain-drama i watched was full house and his acting has improved!

i wouldn't consider my country calls/call of the country as the most underrated drama because on the whole, it wasn't that great except for one part - the visit to the apartment which had everyone pretending to be what they were not was absolutely hilarious! it was such a gem of a scene. if the entire drama had more of such scenes, this could potentially be drama of the year.

many thanks thundie, dahee, gf and jb for this 5-parter year end review. thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

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Thanks for all the reviews (read all of them) and LOVE all of them. ^_^

Now, I have some catching up to do since everyone mentioned these 2 drama - Comrades and Joseon X-Files, in all the reviews.

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Aww, thanks for this! You guys are awesome. You definitely made my night (or morning, I don't really know it's 4am.)

And thank you, thank you, thank you for The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry love. Since I have yet to finish Sungkyunkwan Scandal or My Girlfriend is a Gumiho (I have NO IDEA why, I just stopped --yeah, it doesn't make sense to me either but I LOVED them both), I'm going to go ahead and call The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry my favorite drama of the year.

The honor of my biggest disappointment goes to Mary Stayed Out All Night. I don't really have anything to say except: WHY?

Also, no other bromance could compare with that of our lovely Go Yong-ha and Moon Jae-shin.

And last but certainly not least a millions thanks for Most Glorious Mane of Hair category. I think that alone made my night/morning. That and girlfriday's description of Eun-jo in Cinderella's Sister as "the friendly neighborhood porcupine". Well, actually, basically everything that girlfriday types is a win.

Anyway, thanks guys for making me realize earlier this year on that late dark September night when I had finished watching Coffee Prince (only my forth Korean drama) that there were hundreds of others just like me. Thanks!

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Also, Joseon X-Files is on my watch list along with Runaway Plan B and possibly Chuno. Thanks again!

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Park si Hoo - Kim So Yeon coupling in Prosecutor Princess moved me the most this year. Something about their story bring me to tears....

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Me too!!! Park Si Hoo & Kim So Yeon!!! Their on-screen sparkling chemistry was really amazing!!! Love Lawyer Seo~!!!!

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Agreed!! I love this couple to pieces that after I finish the drama I marathon the drama again to watch only their scenes!! The only other drama I did that too was the couple from 9 ends 2 outs!!

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No mention of Dong Yi? Anyone? Anyone?

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oh that's right, I forgot about Dong Yi. I really enjoyed it but then again, I'm no expert at analyzing dramas. I thought little Dong Yi was very memorable and I loved the new "'friendlier'version of the King as portrayed by Ji Jin Hee, whom I've had the hots for ever since Jewel in the Palace.

I just enjoy what I enjoy, and leave the rest up to the universe.

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can u also do 2009? i know it's a year late but would like to know your thoughts.

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thanks! thought this started just this year.

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haha, I loved your choice for WORST USE OF AN IDOL STAR. If anything, Playful Kiss affirmed that I am NOT a Kim Hyun-joong fan.

Come to think of it, I agreed with all your choices - even Baker King Tak Gu, which I enjoyed immensely. And I'm glad GF fought for our gumiho-girl. Best. Character. Ever.

Thanks for the round-up. ^_^

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Love how each one of you represents different taste in drama :D

Thanks for all the reviews. You all are indeed AWESOME!!

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great job JAVABEANS, GIRLFRIDAY, DAHEE FANEL& THUNDERBOLT! great choices too!

have a lovely new year dramabeans family :D

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Ahhh, seems like I can't put off watching Joseon X Files anymore!
Kim Jihoon, here I come :D

PS. Gosh, I adore your section on worst use of an idol star.
Let's just say fans will be raging, heh.

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@ dramaville
jb did something similar last year. if you dig around her blog you should be able to unearth it.

hmm, it appears dong yi did not make the cut

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Thank you Javabeans, Girlfriday and the rest of the guest bloggers for writing the year end reviews. Thorougly enjoyed reading what you thought of dramas in 2010.

Keep up the good work and looking forward to reading dramabeans.com again in 2011. :)

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worst use of an idol star is the best writing. lol

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Yep you guys write so incredibly well that I think you should start a writing school as a spin off from dramabeans!

The blurb on KHJ was real funny and useful, yep who dares to risk hate mails? hahaha.

I laugh when I read the Biggest dissapointment of the year and saw the honourable mention there. Who wants to be the honourable mention in that category? LOL!

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Yay!!! Thanks I've been waiting for this for a while now :D I just gotta say my Yu Ah In had a great year.... Thanks again for your hard work you guys are amazing I LOVE DRAMABEANS!!!!!! <3 <3
(& people shouldn't be sending you gals hate mail)

Hope you guys gave a good New Years!

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I personaly did not fing gumiho so good. And Baker King was the best drama with X files I donlt think it was overrated at all but deserved fully what it got. Yoon shi Yoon had a great break through as his acting was superb he displayed all the emotions perfectly so it was hard not to feel them yourself

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Hey, JB and GF, I love the "worst use of an idol star" conversation! I cannot stop laughing!

I usually finish the drama that I started watching. But Playful Kiss is the only one that I cannot finish this year.

KHJ is good as dancer and model. He is also funny in "We've got married". But his singing skill is just average and his acting is ............!

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agree! don't worry about hate mails, jb and gf! that kind of acting is... actually fans know about that too... :p

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Woooww it's great and I feel so good after reading it :D

Thankyou jb, gf, and the guest bloggers, you guys are the best :DDD

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Best OST in 1H2010: Cinderella Sister
Best OST in 2H2010: SKKS

I love both OSTs.

"Secret Garden" is also fun to watch. It should be included in your review though it has not yet finished airing.

If there is an award for "Best actress in evening gown", I think HJW should get it. She is so beautiful in the ep 13 and 14! Even ajumma like me stopped breathing. HJW never disappointed us in her pick of dress when she appeared in awards/ceremonies.

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*sigh* i wish i have an access to drama like jxf, but sadly, not. actually i was kinda sad knowing that sg came out late so we can't have full judgement towards this drama. hyun bin and ha ji won is officially my fave couple, so lovable that i don't really care about the storyline as long as i saw them together lol.
about the best use of an idol, i was so sure that you'll mention choi siwon. honestly, i'm not a fan of taecyeon (because junho's way cuter than him), but i guess he's worth mentioning. Overall, i love and happy with your picks. May you have a happy holiday. Thank you!!!

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I dunno what to say with a straight face about a review that puts Rain up as best actor & skunks Baker King. Happy new year anyway. ^__^

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javabeans: He’s back to having straight hair. I have nothing positive to say.

BWAHAHAHA

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LOL re: KHJ as worst use of idol star.

How would the uproar be if he starred in MSOAN, instead of JGS?

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I'm just curious...Which scene(s), out of all the dramas this year, were your favorite? To me, the funniest was the Sunjoon-Jaeshin buttfight. I still have to decide which one made me cry the most, though.

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OH MY GOODNESS.
I have to say it again, thanks God for dramabeans. Seriously.
I love love this post - eventhough I don't really agree with all, but it's a very good post.
*click LIKE*

I completely agree with :
- Best Actresses - MGY rocks. Shin Eun kyung, I don't know what to say. FOA is fabulous makjang. and thundie, your description is awesome.
- Best Supporting Actor : I started to like Kim Gab soo since Partners, and started to love him since Cinderella's Sister.
- Best Supporting Actresses : yes to the three of them.
- Best Bromance : thumbs up!! I hope they win the best couple in KBS Drama Award this year! :D
- Best Mane of Glory : hahaha. Yes, yes, and yes!

once again, thanks Javabeans, Girlfriday, Dahee, Thunderbolt for making this post.

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You're so meeean with Kim Hyun Joong!!! I'm not a teenager and I still like him! ^^
I loved reading your review though! It was well-written.

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hoi hoi~ tt's my fav character too! love tis review n the "finger guns" hehe

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hoi hoi~ agree~ x3 *it's addicting to say "hoi hoi"*

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You made me laugh and cry so early in the a.m. I enjoyed the write-up as usual....Here's to watching more of the good stuff in 20.11 from kdramaland.

It was good to see and read thoughts about HV, CH and Chuno.

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I hated Baker King. I'm glad it got panned as the most overrated drama of 2010.

Chuno was a bit of a let down for me. The first episodes got me interested but after that it failed to maintain its momentum and intrigue. I agree that Jang Hyuk's acting was solid and that his character was multi-faceted and because of that, intriguing. That being said, I couldn't grow to like JH's character (Dae Gil). DG spent most of the drama feeling sorry for himself, blaming the world, and selfishly thinking that he was the only one who had experienced suffering. Dude... there are others who have been wronged far more than you have... oh, cry me a river.

I'm currently enjoying Giant. My favourite Jo Pilyeon moments:

1) evil laugh;
2) evil facial expressions; and
3) crazy fits of anger his plans are foiled - lol

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i was wondering why secret garden wasn't in there. I hope it means it would be there nxt year!

Sigh, if only gu yong ha had been developed so much more. He was my fav character this year. I don't think comedies this year were that great. True, SJK handed out more fan service than fantastic acting towards the end. but I will forever be amazed at how he can make lol and recognise his dark side ALL THE TIME. He is my definition of Comedy and no show can beat him this year.

Mary stayed out all night felt like too many people in a control station. I think the people in there are as frustrated as the people out here. I feel sad for the production team. Cus I know that they know that it is difficult to do this kind of show but they could have done so much better if it were done their way. The feeling of being suppressed by your very team mates just oozes out of that show. I may be thinking to much tho.

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Girlfriday... I think that's your talent - churning out hilarious lyrics to replace traditional Christmas songs... (see Bad Guy recap ep 16) Love it!

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This review right here is AMAZING!!! Oh my god, I LOVE

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To JB, GF and all guest recappers:
Thank You for making Kdrama obsession even more fun.
You are A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!
I enjoyed reading all five Parts of Year in Review.

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This review right here is AMAZING!!! Oh my god, I LOVED the mane review! I love everything about Yoo-Ah In! Favorite actor this YEAR! I have a thing for a guy who can break or warm my heart with a twitch of his mouth. He does it. I dug this whole review! So good!

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thanks for the awesome reviews and editor picks~
you guys are great. cheers to another great year!

btw, you guys had me totally nodding while reading this post. :D especially at Kim Tak Goo being overrated. it was seriouslyy on everytime i went home and no matter how many episodes i missed in between, i still knew what was going on.
oh and LOL at the convo on Kim Hyun Joong. What can i say? he's a really pretty face and i enjoy seeing him on screen, even if the dude's got stiff acting. kinda like my yamapi. oops, did i say my? i guess i'm a fan girl of the type, sue me hahah

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haha. I love Yamapi too. But however, Pichan always know how to choose the right character suiting him. And his acting skills have been improving a lot since 2009. I special like Code Blue season 2, which just blew me away. A big highlight of his acting skills, I think.

About Kim Hyun Joong, I don't understand why he still wants to be an actor. He's good looking with fine voice. Just keep singing and dancing. Everytime I see him on the screen as an actor, I just feel kind of angry =)

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i just wanted to add to the "Where is Secret Garden?" club. Hyun Bin was in line for best actor, so it seems that it was included in this year's round up.

SG is my favorite drama this year, hands down, and I was just wondering why it didn't get many nominations. It is hilarious, the leads have AMAZING chemistry, and the scenes are beautifully shot. Is it because it does not have any extremes? No distinct genre? Or was it that in-bed hug that turned you away?

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I am so glad I stumbled upon this site..I don't exactly remember when but I believe it was very recent. Thanks for the fun year of recaps, rants and raves among other things. Even those who leave comments and messages contributed to the fun. Happy New Year to You All! Looking forward to a great 2011 with all of you.

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wkwkwk .... lol at your conversation on worst use of idol XD
no choi siwon as best use of idol? imo, he's so perfectly casted in OML and his acting is right on spot compared to the other idols.
Thanks JB, GF, Kaedejun and Aberdeen_angus for recapping the series through out the year.

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awww i'm sad the reviews are over. anyways, happy holidays everyone. thanks to javabeans and girlfriday for running this awesome site. happy new year!!!

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totally agree!!! and the best site goes to:

(drum roll please?!)

DRAMABEANS! :)

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(willingly give a drum roll~ drm drm drm drrrrmmmm~)

thank you thank you thank you soooo much for this end of year gift to us reader. your site is getting more and more readers now, congrats. i hope we can have more fun recaps next year. stay healthy, all dramabeans crew~ :3

anyway, is it just me or this editor's picks is kinda feel like javabeans-girlfriday vs dahee-thundie showdown? lol

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Do you guys have any idea how much I laughed on the WORST USE OF AN IDOL STAR category? XD You guys are funny! =)) And yea, fan girls are indeed scary. T.T

Anyway, I agree with the stuffs you mentioned above... except that the best drama for me is My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. ^^

Anyway, thanks guys for updating always. :) I love Dramabeans to pieces cause it supplies me with my daily dose of kdrama news. :) I'm super addicted to kdramas and it's so nice that I'm always updated because of this site!

I hope you guys will stay put for the next 500 years!! ^^ lol

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Awesome review girls!

too bad no one mentioned "Life is Beautiful" :(

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Ah and "worst use of an idol star" bit is hilarious! I'd be scared too xD

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I'm saddened by this too. I was really curious abt it!

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Thanks for the review JB, Girlfriday, Dahee and Thundie! I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on the many dramas that aired this year! And JB thanks again for providing this little place where we kdrama fans can go crazy and have fun :)

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Oh my GOD! U guys make me want to cry.
Thank u so much for working so hard this year. I love your recaps, love your reviews. Even I don't agree some of them, but everyone has their own opinion, and u guys too.

Thanks u so much ( again ) for giving My Girlfriend is a Gumiho so many awards. I thought it wouldn't receive the Best comedy drama ^^ However, it deserves. hehe. Feel really exited after I read the part 5! I've waited for this...and u guys don't let me down. hihi. Fantastic!!!

And your conversations about worst use of an idol star just blew me away because of happy. haha. U guys are all right! Kim Hyun Joong(PK) and Jang Guen Suk (MSOAN) make me feel really disappointed. I can imagine Kim Hyun Joong's acting skills since I watched BOF ( horrible ) but I don't think that he would do the same characters as Ji Hoo. Jang Geun Suk, haizz, he is good, but not enough to save the whole drama. I don't even understand what the drama is talking about. MSOAN is one of my biggest disappointment of this year.

One again, I want to say thanks to all u guys!!

Love ya! Stay healthy!

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i wanted to say thanks for all of the laughs this year. I LOVED reading your recaps.

Looking forward to next year! Happy New Year!!

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BWAHAHAHAHA I LOVE what you wrote for Kim Hyun Joong!! I'm not the least afraid of crazy fangirls, and I share your opinion :P.

I haven't watched Joseon X-Files, so I can't give my opinion about your picking this one as the best drama, but I totally agree for best couple (Shin Mina & Lee Seung Gi and Park Shi Yeon & Kang Ji Hwan)!!

LOL at comment #46 XD!

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Most Spot-on review:

Girl Friday's take on Shin Min-ah as Favorite Character. Thank you for sticking guns and making the best use of your own bullying tactics to make realized what was obvious to so many of us!

Party-Pooper, Just To Different and Difficult Award:

Dahee Fanel's brutal savaging of a cultural phenomenon in having nothing good to say about something that most people think was a very good thing. If your reason for not joining the "conga-line" is that you just don't like that type of thing, then that is perfectly fine. But taking to task a wildly successful drama for merely making great use of the basic principles for the genre's ever-growing popularity is attacking the business for being the business. Not wanting to join the dance is no reason to throw a stink-bomb into the dance hall. This is Korean Drama. This is what we do here...

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This is WE do here?
As presumptuous comments go, this one takes the biscuit.

THEY (javabeans and co.) write splendid articles, reviews and recaps.

WE, Darling, read and comment our wildly different views and thoughts on k-dramas.
This isn't the kind of place where everyone is the same, thinks the same, speaks the same or has the same tastes.

That's why it is so wonderful.

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I enjoyed it all! *finger guns* and wink to the left!

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I have most certainly enjoyed all the reviews and comments, sometimes even more than the kdramas. I am hopelessly addicted to the site - all thanks JB, Girlfriday and gang.

Here's wishing to many more good years....

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