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Everyone including my two favourite bloggers (JB and GF) do watch this, for a unique of kdramas, they are by WongFu Productions who resides in LA. =]] Would be a nice short video to start your awesome weekends! Love y'all!
flawless perfection. "I will live a tragically romantic life of despair for you" hahaha. The doctor said he had the surgery done on him...who ... gave up their..uhhh.... for the doctor? DUN DUN DUN
It's a rainy, very cold day here in Missouri...for once I'm actually happy to be in my windowless office with my cozy lighting, because it's keeping me from feeling dreary!
All my best intentions to begin 49 Days fell through this week, so I've had to comfort myself with just reading the recaps...but I'm determined to start watching soon, because it looks like it's living up to the hopes for it!!
Still praying for the people of Japan and also for the Middle East, where the unrest just seems to keep growing and growing...
Must run back to my work...hope you're all doing well this week! :)
Oh...PS...is anybody else looking forward to Maids?? For some reason that one is grabbing my attention...hope it turns out to be enjoyable!
Yeah...I've kind of been holding off because I do enjoy watching a few episodes in a row when I begin a drama - that way I get a better feeling for the tone and the overall story! I learned to do that with k-dramas after I tried showing just one episode of Coffee Prince to a friend - she couldn't handle the eating scene in the first ep, and since she didn't see any other episode she thought that's how the whole thing would be! So now I usually watch, and make others watch, at least 2 eps before making a decision about whether to follow a drama!
It's more on the drama side but with light moments. So far it's a well told story. I recommend it highly. I know it's early but very promising. I hope they keep it up through its run. Good Show.
Im enjoying 49 Days. Its good from the get go! Its moving fast and there is still so much I want to know about each of the characters. I'm still undecided who I'm rooting for as its still early days but I already care for the main leads! To be honest, I might get shot for saying this but then again maybe it is too premature as its only 4 episodes on but Im loving 49 Days more than Secret Garden! I might one day regret this but right its 49 Days is rocking my world!!! JB & GF, I am relatively new here and just wanted to say you guys bring a whole new meaning to my TGIFs!!!! Kamsahamida!!!Hope everyone has a great weekend & Happy Friday too!
I started watching it this week. It is dramatic, but a bit funny too. The actors/actresses have some good camaraderie! I am enjoying it. I do confess to liking Royal Family better, but who has to choose only one to like?
I just started a week ago and blazed through the first 8 or so episodes. The younger years were so addicting. However, I really don't like the way the OTP romance is heading!!! I seriously dislike Dongnyeo, both the character and the actress, and I like Dalyi so much better!!! But I love both the guys, and I really don't know if I should continue and just get my heart broken. :( Pieeee....
I hate when the youth actors steal the show! You keep thinking why am I suffering through this woman when nam ji hyun was more of an adult than she is! I suppose she was trying to link the two characters by dumbing her self down but that is stupid! The duo premiered this week on mbc in america but I missed the the first two episodes because I was watching smile you but I'll be sure to savour it this weekend.
i only watched up til ep 10 but am seriously considering dropping it. does it get any better because it got pretty meh when the adults showed up. which i was not expecting. :(
All the good actors have been claimed. I decided to go after somebody nobody ever heard of.
MINE is Choi Min, everyone, hands off.
He is the dad in the Buick commercial, the guy at the poker table, the guy that comes in an beats up the second lead, the Dad in the Kia commercial and now, the Dad in the rice commercial who tells his wife that it's delicious.
It is interesting following a CF actor. if someone were to piece together all of these roles, you'd end up with a story about a serial polygamist with several daughters the same age, who buys a lot of teddy bears for them. Or, maybe a spy, because he gets to wear tuxes a lot.
You can have Choi Min, I'll take Kim Sung Soo. He's been around for a long time & seems to get stuck doing sit-coms & family dramas. This "Full House" 2nd lead, is smart & a wonderful actor. Can't wait to see him as a fighter pilot in "Red Scarf". Nothing better than a man who wears a flight suit. I even married one.
I can't say I have a favorite. There are many that I think are great actors/actresses and many that I obsess over on db's site but the ones I'm missing now are Kim Rae Won and Park Jin Hee. I always think the actress Park Si Yeon should get more work she has great potential and the same goes for the character actor choi jae hwan. he is always great to see. he gives a solid performance each time.
Happy Friday! Nice to see everyone. We had half a foot of snow Tuesday. So sucks.
Watching Giant is exhausting - on Episode 49/60 and counting... but I am hanging in there for JSW/Minwoo-shi. Hey Drama writers - When's that guy gonna get a HAPPY character to play?
Clichique/YY - wondering what you would say about Gangmo's eyes. O_O
The more I watch, the hotter Seungmo's getting, too.
Oooh baby, with your three piece suits and your gunplay, and your teeny tiny smiles of HATE.
I find seungmo's character to be the most pitiful of them all. and I'm not just talking about the ending. I understand the show is about kang mo but they could've fleshed out seungmo some more.
Nooo, my Minwoo is the saddest character in that drama (fangirling of course :P ) At least Seungmo has one purpose in his life, he won't go through so much self struggling when he has to decide his next action as long as he can destroy Jo Pilyeon at the end.
But my heart breaking when I see Minwoo trying his best to be a good son, and a good lover at the same time, knowing when one is happy, the other won't be, and none of his father or his lover sympathizes him, awww. Just there, standing sad and alone....
Throughout the show I was secretly longing for Min-woo to just steal all his moms jewelry, tell everyone off and gtfo of town. I mean, really. Being a good son didn't matter once Dad started to beat the tar out of him. I think at that point you need to make some hard decisions about who is more important to please, but he just stuck around wavering until the end.
This is one part of Kdrama's - the steady loyal sons who take a beating from Dad - that does not translate to my US born eyes/ears.
Maybe because I have been taught since I was little that if someone hits you once, beware. If someone hits you twice, GET OUT!
In MW's case, his fortunes were so tied up with his Dad's I can see why early on he might stay. But you are right, he would have been happier to leave all Dad's dreams behind and work on his own.
I'm from Asia, and I have faced this in real life: There's a woman who has been abuse so many time by her husband and she still refused to leave him. She's independent enough, and she'll have her family to support her after she leaves him if she ever do. That fact I never understand, never. But that makes me easier to understand the Minwoo character and why he can not just leave his father. Because he's simply his father.
Well, to be fair I don't think this is exclusive to Asia or Korea. I think Min-woo stuck around because he is an only child. Perhaps if he had a brother or sister he'd be more flighty or at least have someone to conspire with.
I know! because he has to endure it alone (yeah, the person that he thought like his brother, Sangmo, also turned his back from him), he's just sad, sad, sad, sad (like Rebecca Black song)
Hey! I totally agreed to share him! (As long as I could keep Doc, and if he never re-appears then Rara's elusive 'cousin' -- when and if they decide to finally bring him in to the show).
Yeah, both Seong-mos are mine. Haha!
@ahjummabunny
I did feel he was fleshed out enough, he may not have had as much screentime but that was the nature of his character: clandestine, stealthy. Not always on screen but still 'there'. In the hearts and/or conscience of his fellow characters. That's our Seong-mo. I love him.
Supah -
Loved when he couldn't clap to the beat, and LOVED WHEN HE DANCED! Made me think that dancing SM was closer to his real life personality, since he appeared to be the one to initiate it.
Ohhh... Ironically, those were actually the scenes that made me cry a lot. They each kind of referenced back to something more painful, or like the dancing, he did it to lighten up their moods...
His real personality was everything that he was prior to the thing he witnessed in ep. 1: he was a true gentleman, one who was devoted to his family, their happiness was far above his. *gulps back tears*
It is Friday! nice weather in Oklahoma city
thanks Javabeans for all recaps.
I had start scan thru 49 Days on EP 4.
and I had read your recap on EP 4 love it.
I guess this weekend I have to start watch
ep 1 thru ep 4. Wish everyone has a nice weekend.
Keep on praying for the people of Japan and also for the Middle East.
And what a happy Friday it is! Because, they are making the live version of Skip Beat, one of my all time favorite manga. And to put the icing on the cake Siwon is playing Ren!! Tee Hee. It's like a present, just for me! :P
The only thing that could have made it better, was if a blond Jaejoong played Sho, but I like Donghae too, so no complaints!! Happy Dance time! It might be miserable and raining outside but it's sunshine and roses in Viola land. :)
Here my lovely lovely dramabeans family have some of my happy too! I have more than enough to share! *throws joy like confetti* Yay! :P
It's pretty exciting to see Siwon acting in a drama. Maybe I'm the only one, but I thought his part in Athena was kickass. Now a manga adaptation with him as the lead? Can't wait!
One of my favorite mangas of all time as well, but I don't know. I always feel a bit iffy about live adaptations of manga, Nodame Cantabile and my beloved Tamra being exceptions. Nakamura-sensei uses a lot of incredible visual humor and fantastical elements, and I think part of the reason I enjoy Skip Beat is the medium. I love the plot, with the main love triangle, Kyoko's growth as actress and person, her relationship with Kanae, etc, but I don't know if I'd find the story nearly as compelling without Nakamura-sensei's drawings or humorous asides.
Case in point (or rather, case in highlight reel):
I also know a lot of small details will be omitted out of necessity to improve pacing, and I just adore all the tiny details - they're what made me fall in love with the manga in the first place. But I'm counting on you guys to tell me how it is once it airs! If it sounds good, I might join the party.
Oh Tildy I absolutely know what you mean! I have re-read the manga so many times, and each time I find something new to be surprised and delighted over in Skip Beat! :)
Another reason to feel iffy is that TW dramas generally have lower production values, and LOTS of exposition and they don't generally trust their audience or their actors..... ..I know all that but,.. er.....excuse me for a second, Tildy.
I need to exorcise the fangirlyness
*Kyaaa, Kyaaaaaa!! happy dance* :)
*composes self again*
Where was I? Here, ok.
You see Tildy, I have a fatal weakness, he is my cryptonite, achilles heel, and the miseltoe thorn that slew Baldor, all rolled into one. He is Siwon.
So, for him I am prepared to be as persistent and optimistic as Mokoto! Skip Beat hwaiting!! :)
*spits joyous confetti out of mouth, after smiling*
Ha Ha! What a bright and happy day with Viola!
Do you know if they will be dubbed? They can speak Mandarin, right? I saw Dennis Oh in the Mainland Drama "Fall In Love" and thought, "Wow! His Korean wasn't that good, but he speaks excellent Mandarin!" Until I realized that it wasn't his voice... I don't even want to tell you how many episodes it took before I figured that out. :-)
That is such a funny story! Please tell me how many episodes it took for you to figure out that it was dubbed? :)
But, I do hope they don't need to dub his voice. He is in Suju M, he should be able to speak some Mandarin, right? *crosses fingers*
This is exciting, but I'm dreading the dubbing. *crosses fingers that they won't dub*
Although to be honest, I don't care as long as I can watch Choi Si Won on screen for many hours. He was great in Athena, and criminally underused. I miss him.
Choi Si Won is excellent in Athena. I haven't seen enough of Athena to know what the drama is about but the few scenes I did see with Si Won ssi were surprisingly good. He's one idol star that's shooting up and I wish him lots of luck.
*picks confetti out of cleavage* God darn it, Vionnie! Do you know how hard it is to get stuff out of there? *shakes and tosses boobs around*
Anyway, I am glad that !SIWON is in another drama so that we can drool and ogle (droogle?). If only it were Korean so we could browbeat Girlfriday-unni into recapping it for us. Alas, we will just have to make to with watching hottie !SIWON get his hotness on.
I'm assuming you will watch the drama. Have you considered writing text-only recaps for us on the Open Thread (with JB's permission, of course)? I think it would be great fun, and we could have a little !SIWON party every week, or twice a week. Really, can you think of anything better than a !SIWON party? We could even tweet siwon407 and (ahem) invite him. ;-) Seriously, think about it. I have faith in your writing abilities.
I hereby declare !SIWON to be the Trademark of Lahlita and Viola. Anyone who uses it has to pay us USD $1.00 (payable via PayPal to Javabeans and Girlfriday for our keeping).
Anyway, as you know, Vionnie, Siwon is keen on keeping up and improving his English. His reading comprehension is aces (he reads English-language business newspapers because he's so effing BOSS), but one can always improve, so if we tweet him enough, maybe he'll make your recaps scheduled reading! Or you can make a blog and start posting recaps of his Taiwanese drama, complete with pictures. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, really. I just really, really like !SIWON. Get to it, hunny bunny!
Er.. I don't see how I am going to improve his English. My vocabulary is pretty limited when it comes to him... it consists of Siwon? Siiiwon?! Siwoon!!! Swoon! *thud* :P
Yes, my capacity for language devolves to the level of a Pokemon's around him. :P
Well, except for the times when in an excess of admiration, I spontaneously burst into Songs of Solomon, ( sad, but true. Brookeve and Leonardswench can attest to that)
"Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.
Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me..." :P
My response then would be: "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy, cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame." :P
LOL MJP I am glad you get my Songs of Solomon madness, it just seems so apt for him, doesn't it? :)
*tons of silent laughter as husband sleeps in same room*
I so totally get it! You have given me a vision of you and Siwon rewriting Song of Solomon with a modern vibe. *more silent laughter*
However would you rewrite your teeth are like sheep???? *silent laughter so much, the shaking hurts my neck*
I love your teeth now that you've used those Crest White-strips... Christ White-strips? (What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus!) *silent laughter, shaking so hard I can see the screen*
Ow! I've gotta stop laughing!!! Goodness, I sure hope you get the jokes and I don't offend. :-)
Oh my God, MJP, I MUST start using *Christ White-strips* for my teeth! Ahahahahahahh!!!
Forget laughing silently, I just threw my head back and guffawed. The hubby just poked one eye out from the pillow and was all "Woman, I swear...." Ahahah. Poor Espen. If Viola and Siwon rewrite the Bible, I'd be so much better about reading it every day.
to Viola regarding 10.6.1.1.7 Viola March 26th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
*blushes* Yeah, I am blessed to have him. So many times I acknowledge that he is precious/priceless. I am VERY thankful. I waited 35 years to meet him. Sometimes it felt like I would never meet someone like him, but I am sure glad I waited!
Okay enough husband gushing, I don't want to make people sick!
I can't imagine anyone getting sick!! Instead, you would give people hope that it's indeed possible to have that king of love outside of dramas and in real life. You certainly made me believe! I am incredibly happy for you both. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you both.
:) *hugs*
Brushing it off my son-in-law's (Siwon's) shoulders. Viola, he was right behind you. I had called and told him that your favorite Managa character was REN, so when he was offered the role, he immediately snatched it up. See, how much he LOVES you. Siwon is going to have this hairstyle.http://www.mangafox.com/manga/skip_beat/v09/c052/2.html
The k-drama landscape is starting to get super interesting!! I'm behind on Crime Squad and haven't started 49 Days yet... I know what's on my to-do list this weekend!!
A quick question to everyone: what is your favorite long saeguk? The only ones I've watched were 25 or so episodes in length, but I'd really like to watch one with more than 35 episodes.
Word. Mishi has to be the best ever female villian to ever grace my screen.
------
Def recommend Queen Seon Duk. The first two episodes are bit of a drag, but once you get past that you're fine. The acting is top-notch overall, and it really pulls you into the story.
I just finish watching Giant, and now I want to see the actor playing Mishil in QSD and actor playing Jo Pilyeon in Giant are in one drama together. How awesome is that!
And how their evil laugh will sound like at the same time....
Ignore the fact that he has mental disease, he seems never giving up on something, not even once, and doing all out for every thing he has in mind, put me in awe.
How come I haven't recognize this actor before Giant??
Right now I'm watching Yi San. When I can't bare the never ending palace intrigue I watch something else and then return. I think my love for LSJ is what keeps me coming back. Love his performance here :)
My favorite sageuk is Jewel in the palace at time before I like sageuk drama (I was kinda avoiding it actually if it's not proved really good, I wouldn't even try to watch it), but then came Sungkyunkwan Scandal, my sageuk crack. Since then, sageuk drama never be the same again for me.
Beside Jewel in the palace, I think Queen of SeonDok is loooong sageuk drama that worth watching.
I love the song of the day! The Seedy Seeds! My new favorite band. I went to their web site and bought the new CD. Thank you for exposing me to some great new music, JB!
Even though he is not my absolute favorite, I just have to say how much I like Kang Nam Gil. I first saw him in "Who are You." He played the dead dad. At first I thought he was just plain goofy looking and not much else. But since then I have seen him in a lot of other dramas and I have really started to appreciate his acting. The last drama I watched with Kang in it was "The Return of Iijimae". I really enjoyed his character and thought he did a fab job. The scene where he formally adopts the boy and dies was particularly touching.
Ahn Suk Hwan is another fav. He played Jan Di's dad in BOF. That is where I first saw him. Like Kang, I thought Hwan was just a goofy actor. However I have seen him in other dramas and I think he is great. His character in Runaway Plan B cracked me up for some reason... I think it was due to the crossed eyes.
So there you have it. Two actors who I think are pretty cool. They are not young or hot, but I think they rock!
Hello everyone. I'm new as a commenter, but I hope you don't mind me jumping right in and asking for your help.
Lately I've been wanting to expand my drama-horizons and start watching some historical dramas. The only problem is that I really don't know where to start.
Does anyone have any good sageuks to recommend?
I watch and love everything from silly rom-coms to action to melodramas, so I'm not too picky about the subgenre. I just want to start with something good, and from lurking the comments on the site I've discovered many great dramas. I only ask that it's not too long, preferably less than 30 episodes as my attention span tends to be short, dramawise (though if someone can convince me that a long drama is worth it, I am willing to give it a try).
My favorites are Painter of the Wind (which has 20 eps) and Queen Seon Deok (which has...a lot of eps, LOL) but if you want a younger one, Sungkyunkwan Scandal is also really fun! PoW and QSD are both dramas; SKKS is a dramatic comedy.
Um..I get the impression that you want a watch a well-written and superbly acted sageuk. However, if you just want to check "watched a sageuk" off your list I recommend Iljimae. I watched the WHOLE thing for Lee Jun Ki (he's pretty...) Oh, and there's Park Shi Hoo who's adorable even while not doing much. Yep, the episodes flew by (20 eps).
Yeah, something well written and simply well made is exactly what I'm looking for. I haven't found anything that's grabbed my attention of what has currently been airing (though there are a couple of new ones that I'm yet to check out, 49 days is sounding pretty good...though I might just save that until all the episodes are out, have a feeling it might be that kind of a show, if people get my drift. Ok, back on topic.) so I figured it was a good time to try something new.
There seems to be a lot of fans of "Return of Iljimae", but from your comment is it fair to say it's more of a "oooh eyecandy" kind of deal than it being a good drama?
There is "Iljimae" and "Return of Iljimae". They are completely different dramas and not a part one/part two thing. Check out the reviews here on Dramabeans. I started both but only finished "Return". HTH!
I watched it, and then read, JB glowing reviews because I was so afraid of spoilers. Of course, the fact that I watched it in practically one sitting helped.
Here is a non-spoiler comment from JB about the supporting cast: Ah, I freaking love all the characters in this drama and maybe that’s why the stories affected me on an emotional level. They’re all so wonderfully complex, and they weren’t painted as absolutes. For instance, you can’t classify the characters, as you so often can in other dramas, as “the jerk,” “the nice one,” “the comic relief,” and so forth.
The lead character was so quietly effective he really was there to let the history come alive around him. Not to say he wasn't noticeable, that isn't it. He just didn't hog the spotlight.
Oh, I love multifaceted characters. I can get really boring when the entire cast can be divided into one of three boxes; "good", "bad" and "plot-device", so that sounds like a great drama.
MJP-
Don't watch RoI for:
The most beautiful cinematography
Cutest, fattest baby on board
Adorable pre-teen "Artful Dodger" character
Funny and endearing friendships
Stranger than strange "bad?" guy. I mean really strange.
Ballet-like, always interesting fight scenes
Wonderful atypical love interests
Gorgeous heartbreaking love stories
Courageous, heroic yet unsung hero
JUNG IL WOO with beautiful long hair
JUNG IL WOO in drag
JUNG IL WOO in plum-tones
JUNG IL WOO in black
JUNG IL WOO in pain -aaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhh
OK, I am going to re-watch.
Let me know if you start and we can watch "together" since the recaps are still accepting comments.
*sigh* You went and did it... I don't know how you did it, but you did it... You have actually made me interested in a sageuk. How did you do it?????
I don't think I will get to it right away, however. Just from this OT I have the following kdramas/movie to watch.
Hana Yori Dango (courtesy of Laica & Viola)
What's Up Fox (courtesy of ck1Oz)
City Hall (courtesy of Samgetang & Viola)
The Man From Nowhere (courtesy of IzOcha & Ambie)
Return of Illjimae (courtesy of S the knitter & Jomo)
Not a saeguk vet I've only just started them. I like jejoongwon a bit ( didn't finish it but read some recaps and it seems to end well) I disliked it because I need more information to process it well. For instance why is a butcher lower than bums on the street. There were some conflicts that I thought could be wrapped up sooner and cleaner.
I am currently loving King Geunchogo. If you don't fall for it in the first 10 minutes I don't know what to say about you! Well other than nice things or nothing at all. Now Giant is really a saeguk but it is a period drama and I have to recommend it. I loved it. Good Luck drama-buddy!
The fear of not being able to understand the story because I lack the needed back story is really what's been keeping me from it so far. But now that I've watched a few (ok who am I kidding, a LOT) of korean dramas, I think I've picked up enough of the culture and language to, in the very least know where to look for information when there's something going over my head.
I've heard a lot about Giant, from what I remember it's been mixed reviews. Why do you like it? (Oh and I'll make sure I fall in love with King Geunchogo, lol.) Thank you so much for your recommendations!
If you want to be treated to the best "Historical" drama of the last 10 years!! Non other than "Joseon X-Files: Secret Investigation Record", with only 12 Episodes, this drama is by far the best of them all IMHO, the cinematography, the writing, and music is up to "Hollywood" standards, Episode 7 alone is worthy to have won an "Emmy". This drama has become my #1 K-Drama of all times, JXF For The Win!!!!!
I'm sure you've read the synopsis for Giant that wasn't what grabbed me. I watched it to see Park Jin Hee. To see Park Jin Hee I had to watch 9 or 10 episodes of good enough story. There were strong child actors ( Nam Ji Hyun was underused) but their back story was the typical melo- stuff starving orphaned kids and all that comes with that circumstance. But when park jin hee came on the screen the story really opened up. I stayed with Giant because of the love stories and to see the siblings living happily together after fighting against each other.
Conspiracy in the Court is 8 episodes. Probably the best sageuk out there, and THAT is saying quite a bit (probably more about my possible bias than about the drama itself)
Hong Gil Dong is a so-called fusion sageuk, which is to say, more of a blend with modern story-board-ing / language / editing, with a very old story / fairytale.
Which do I like better? Well.
Conspiracy in the Court is the best sageuk. It really is wonderful. But I like Hong Gil Dong better, just because I do.
Welcome! What a great question to start out with. I noticed that there were some really good suggestions on OT #11 and corresponding answers.
I haven't acquired a liking for sageuks (yet.) But a suggestion you may wish to try, for dealing with attention span issues (such as I myself have) is to skip the boring parts.
Again, Welcome! I look forward to seeing your posts!!!
Yeah, I must admit I do sometimes resort to skipping certain parts, but generally that's when I know I should be watching something else. Besides I love to knit or do other crafts while I watch, so it's a little tedious to constantly be interrupted by having to skip the boring parts, lol. I haven't actually even started a show with more than 20-something episodes. It just looks so daunting when you have to scroll multiple times to view the entire episode list.
I must have a real short attention span then... I find I skip most parts with actors over the age of 55 yrs. I skip most parts with evil second leads. I just don't want to know what they are up to because they never win in the end. I skip any sub stories, because they don't contain the leads of the show. I also skip the visual "thinking/angst" scenes because to me they are just a waste of time. See, short attention span. :-)
I tend to skip excessive flashbacks, and if the "evil second lead" is annoying me I might skip that. And if the subplot is boring me to tears while the main story still intrigues me I'll keep watching but skip the boring bits.
But most of the time I'll just watch something else. "Life's too short for bad dramas" (not really sure who I'm quoting, but I know I heard it somewhere).
Ah! *sighs with satisfaction* I am not alone in my drama hops and skips. Since spring is in the air, I think we should call this condition "DRAMABUNNIES" or "DRAMABUNNY-ITIS" or "DRAMA-BUN-TIS". What do you think?
I love Legend - though it's more of a historical fantasy since it has magical elements. It also has action and romance! Great music. High production value. Lots of moments where I am just in awe. I love Yoo Seung Ho and Shin Eun Kyung as the younger versions of the main characters. And I think the role of Sujini is the only likable role Lee Jia has ever played.
Like I mention above I like Jewel in the palace, and Sungkyunkwan Scandal. But I can recommend you Queen of Seondok, Chuno (its cinematography is epic), Pinter of the wind (Moon Geun-young is awesome in this, & this has the most beautiful scenes in k drama land, some of them were put in painting!, I would never miss) and yes Joseon X-files (I like how creative they are when trying to translate the modern life to life in Joseon era)
I don't watch sageuks really so cant help you.... and I think the only truly close something like that I have watched is the clown and the king (Jun ki is too pretty in this!)....
Happy Friday everyone!
I have a visit with my sister planned next week and I'm hoping to get her hooked on kdrama. I have some personal faves but I wanted to see what you guys think. What was your first? Or what turned you from casual watcher to raving addict?
hmmm when did I become a raving addict! I think it was soulmate or my girl, or lawyers or who knows. I probably was hooked from my first one loving you a thousand times. sorry I hijacked your thread with my announcement. I've recently converted my two sisters I hope you manage to bring your sister in to the fold as well!
Haha, my first thought WAS ahjummabunny stole my thunder :( but we both posted at roughly the same time and I'm still getting the responses I was looking for. I loved Soulmate and My Girl too.
Jomo, finding dramabeans was key to my full on drama fever too. I was a little frustrated w some of the cultural stuff I wasn't following in Cinderella's Sister and the recaps TOTALLY filled in the holes. Now (thanks to javabeans) I'm even wary of some translations. For example oppa should just be oppa because it rarely literally means brother and is frequently translated as just the character's name (SO not the same!)
I blame dramabeans for my raving lunacy.. before this site I only had watched a couple because they were drama adaptations of a manga I liked (yeah, I guess I was already showing signs of compulsive behaviour with my manga addiction).
Dramabeans and the excellent discussion and commentary therein provided me the tools to become a fully-fledged paranoid obsessive crazy person (otherwise known as a K-Drama Fan).
If I had to pinpoint a drama? Probably YB - it wasn't the first one I'd watched, but it was the one that had me camping out by the computer for new eps/recaps, laughing hysterically in my dorm room and creeping out everyone in the rooms around me.
I was working in the computer lab when I watched the pig chase scene in YB. I was trying so hard not to laugh, but not really succeeding and instead making these weird choking/gurgling sound..yeah, there were lots of concerned inquiries about my health that day. :P
My 1st is Autumn in My Heart, and what turn me to become rabid k drama addict DRAMABEANS.
Honestly, I have to watch K drama everyday, even it is just merely 30 minutes before I fall asleep, or my mood will be emm not as good as if I get my daily dose of K drama, yeah it's called addiction for reasons.
haha! you are right, lisah! but my health, my beauty, my fats....i think they are partly, or mainly, due to this addiction/obsession...HELPPPPPP! why is it that as your heart expands with joy your abs, biceps, thighs,eyes also expand with fats? why oh why? :-)
I started about 4 months ago with Goong, loved it then discovered Coffee Prince. I don't think I slept for a week.... since then I have steadily gone through a full page of K-dramas that is a full page long and all because I stumbled on Dramabeans while looking for cofee prince/goong reviews.....I think I have permanent raccon eyes now.... :( still loving them though and next on my list is RoI as I have heard too much about it from DB... been avoiding it because I get the feeling that it will make me cry buckets (I am an extremely sentimental tv viewer.... :(
EVERYONE!!!
I have converted another person to K-dramas!!! I started her with My Name is Kim Sam- Soon ( which she watched for 16 hours straight) and then introduced her to Cha Seong Won a la City Hall. And my new devotee is currently laughing and crying herself through it as we speak. Now I've been watching dramas for about 1 year and a half and I've seen many and I can't seem to decide what to suggest to her next. I'm trying to decide if I should go with the ones that are only okay but I enjoyed before I knew better or only those that I can say are great through out.
I know why Korean dramas attract me I love Victorian fiction, I was raised religiously my country/hometown is stuck in a Victorian time warp because she was the queen during our colonization and Guyanese people are strange.
Why did you guys become attracted to K-drama?
Hi5 :D but You got nothin on me :P
This weekend i brought my friends over and we were watchin the grudge. Got bored so i made them sit through TEN minutes of you're beautiful and they were HOOKED. these are six people who wouldnt even watch 10 minutes of naruto and there they were ROFLing over go mi nam. I logged into FB later that night i had six different messages in my inbox begging me to give them more.
Jeeze I'm a sloth! I've only managed to convert 3 of my siblings and 1 friend and the two children I babysit ( They watched gourmet, definitely neighbours and are currently watching King Geunchogo with me.) You're beautiful lost me after episode 4. I was going to start my sister on My girl because that one is hilarious but I wanted to watch city hall again and it doesn't make sense to watch city hall if you don't see samsoon first. In fact it was samsoon that made me want to watch city hall. I'm really glad I finally watched samsoon.
Because...I'm hopeless romantic? hehe...and kdramas are that, and more! Romantic not only between two people but also between person-country, person-family, person-values, person-ideology, person-vision... ;-) and oh-so-funny and oh-so-pretty, too! Yey! All Victorian sensibilities, yes!
My first KDRAMA was Boys Before Flowers last July. That show is like every soap opera cliche rolled into one. The lack of shame was exciting and addictive. There was a pretty boyband (minus the band), a sociopathic evil mommy, a sociapthic evil bestfriend, MAKEOVERS, multiple near-drownings, gangs, kidnappings, stalkers, a magazine photoshoot, a coma, an assasination attempt and resulting amnesia, a trip to island paradise, a love quartet, the boys in various sports gear, and a ridiculous OST. Yep, I'm glad BBF was my first KDRAMA because I learned the ropes and loved it before I knew any better.
My first was Loving you a thousand times ( with Lee soo kyung and Jung gyu won) I was just flipping through channels and I saw a bit of dialogue and I thought hmm this sounds like a cinderella story. Jyang! I loved the story and I had to see more of Lee soo Kyung's work and what a treat that she was a comedic actress. And through her I found the actor ryu soo young and bad couple and soulmates and attic cat and kim rae won and on and on . . .
I'm glad my first k-drama wasn't ridiculousness like mary!!!
I hear ya! BOF was my first mainstream drama and I have been an addict ever since! My "real" first was The Iron Empress. Exciting and interesting but not exactly addicting.
What struck me about Kdramas was that they were unabashedly trying to get me to feel something. Unlike US TV where everyone is always being ever so cool.
I love the respect for the elders and parents. Love learning about the beautiful historic traditions of proud and tiny* Korea, and how much they want to share their culture with the world. (*compared to China)
Also, the one season, many episode story arcs give you time to hate a character, feel sorry for a character, like a character, fall for a character and then become willing to offer one of your kidneys to a character if only it would make them happy again!!
The pretty struck me later, but then, it hit hard and held fast. Mostly this site's fault with their beautiful screencaps.
One example of this effect is what experts call The Hand Towel syndrome.
ding! ding! this gives the writers more to do so we get better stories. however I've been thinking that they use eating together as a metaphor for sex. this is based on how often they use the word to eat or describe how they eat as an insult or to describe someone's behavior and things of the like. I might be wrong because I'm not fluent and the subtitles don't even mention the word eat (which is one thing I hate about subtitles please say exactly what they're saying and let us figure out the metaphor!!! but thank you for subbing)
Actually, he sounded like he liked Yoona more than anyone else but he was set up (you're right!) to pick KTH in the end...how can he like Yoona more than....you? hahahaha! She's just young, sexy, great dancer....I thought he said the girl's appearance did not matter? hehehe...
I fell in love with kdramas because they are focused on acting more than sex/violence/drugs/profanity. America has lost the essence of the art of acting.
I found my first Kdrama (The Woman who still wants to Marry) on Hulu. I watched 5 straight episodes that night, and then did some research on Kim Bum. Found Boys over Flowers and watch it complete in one weekend!!! My convertion to Kdramas was under way! Then went back and finished TWWSWTM. My third one was My Name is Kim Sam Soon and Hyun Bin sealed the deal, I was lost forever. That was 8 months ago and now I have a good 40+ dramas under my belt :)
I still don't know why they're sooo addictive, but I'm not ashamed to say that this addiction/obsession is awesome! Keep them coming!!
I am proud to say I never eye-candy watched! I didn't find kim bum that attractive I thought he was tricksy but he gave a solid performance in this drama the woman . . . He really complimented Park Jin Hee.
Linda, we are leading parallel lives! I discovered Personal Taste on Hulu, I was totally charmed by Sohn Ye Jin and Lee Min Ho and the wonderful combination of insanity and chastity that is kdrama. From blabbing about it on my face book I caught the attention of my cousin's Korean girlfriend (who was barely an acquaintance as I had only met her once) & she directed me to to Full House and Boys Over Flowers (and I too developed a Kim Bum crush)I'm about 7 months into my chronic kdrama affliction, also completed about 40 series and countless more abandoned.
Heh, I just introduced my friend to MNIKSS and YB, plus this site. It's funny, at the start of YB, I was drooling over Hwang Tae-Kyung/JGS, but she couldn't see it. I kept on insisting about how hot and awesome he was, but she wouldn't budge (she was a ShinWoo shipper, pfft). Then - I think it was ep 7 - all of a sudden she got it, and she wouldn't stop going on about him. Sample quote: "..I know this scene is really moving and stuff, but all I can think about is how hot he is."
It's the magic hotness of Hwang Tae-Kyung - once you see it, it cannot be unseen!
It's weird though, because I've kept my obsession hidden for like 3 years now out of embarrassment, and all of a sudden she's going on about kdramas to all our friends. Thats a bit of an adjustment to make.
Yeah, and I think someone's said it, but I think the appeal of kdramas is that they can make ANYTHING romantic. Even puking on someone, or toilet humour, or public humiliation. Its crazy, and that's why its awesome.
The evil mother pre-post in law, bad in-debt dad, a genius cold hearted cheabol 1st lead male, oppa-pout-wiggle of 1st lead female, the piggyback riding, the cry-while-eat scene, the fever after caught in rain (any thing that consist of water) scene, the touch-not-touch scene, the noble idiocy (I can't marry you cause your parent has killed my parent a.k.a parents are important people in someone life), the secret birth (I can't marry you cause you're my sibling, either still can't marry you cause my sick mom think you're my sibling so (WISFC)) the banmal-jondae banter, OK just how smart they are to make overuse cliche still interesting to watch.
It has AN END (I hate extension, second season, sequel whatever it may be called, it doesn't work for me. If I have to go through bad, tad boring new dramaSSSS, before I find my next crack drama, I don't care cause I know it's worth)
Finally, the language. The storyline may be boring and the characters are irritating, still I can sit through all the drama episodes just because the actors speak Korean.
So true about the rain!
All these evil scientists all over the world have been trying to come up with a fool-proof bio-warfare weapon. If they could get into a Kdrama episode, and bottle some of that disease-ridden rain, they could take some time off and, um, watch more dramas!
LOVE what you wrote about Korean language. Why is it so easy to listen to? It almost sounds French to me, at times.
I'm not familiar with French the only words I know from French are bonjour, bon voyage and l'etat c'est moi (ha, ha that's from my history class back my old school day). Jomo, I remember you wrote some Korean words romanization at the last OT, you know my 1st guess, I thought you really wrote French words.
Korean tends to have rhyme in their sentence (the gu, gu rhyme, the rang, rang rhyme you know what I mean :) ). When the dramatic scenes appear, there they come. Not just in song or poet, even in their daily language, the rhyme is every where to hear. I love rhyme, I love Hangugo
After that don't tell me how Jaejoong looks like in that drama and ask me how he's got the 1st lead male role again after that when there're Yoo Ah-in, Song Joong-ki, Kim Jae-wook, Bae So-bin still have not gotten their 1st lead role? Knowing that makes me feel bitter.
Well thats easy to tell you how he got it first. at the time he was still with SM and it was a Korean/Japanese collab .. he speaks Japanese and is very popular there...
out of that names you put down I can only see one other person playing that character, KJW... and well both of the are soooo damn pretty...
Fridays are fun because of...open thread! Yey! :-)
Just finished City Hall few days ago...and yes you are all correct. It's The Kiss to end all kdrama kisses ;-) woot! woot!
The OST -- It's pure awesomeness! :-) Love it.
The characters: Shin Mi Rae is inspiring -- ordinary lady achieving extraordinary things. Jo Guk is exciting -- driven by ambition; transformed by love.
Kim Sun Ah and Cha Seung Won? Sizzling. Perfect. The best!
The plot: How one woman's integrity, authenticity and sacrifice can be the driving force for one man to overcome his own twisted view of life because of his sad past. And in so doing impact one city to believe in itself. Powerful!
I know, I know....Ive been raving about CH ever since I started the first episode...I'm starting to bore myself already, hehe. But can't thank you all enough for encouraging me to watch it...viola, jomo, ockoala, sere, amg1, jandoe, hapacalgirl, linda165, elleloveskdrama ...all of you! I'm glad I also discovered samsooki's amazingly wise and insightful recaps of CH here in DB (thanks to Amg1!).
For me, this kdrama is even way better than CP or MP or YAB. I was not bored even for one bit...the flow is just so fluid and effortless, even all the supporting cast are as engaging and as effective. It's hilarious, romantic but at the same time has depth and character. It reminded me of SKKS (just like SKKS, CH's OST is superlative!) but better because the resolution to the conflict was well-addressed.
No wonder dramacrazy(dot)net listed CH in its select list of dramas to watch...I'm doing the dance of joy because of discovering CH! :-)
Ok! You have finally convinced me... I've been searching for a good Kdrama, one that is not still airing! City Hall it is! Thanks all & Samgetang for the review! Let's hope this doesnt make me all without sleep this weekend! I dont need another marathon as I have been super tired these days.... Happy Days Beanies!
Funny but CH is the kind of kdrama that you can watch in installments and yet not get derailed or become distraught because you were not able to watch the whole thing in one sitting. I think it's because the characters and story kinda grow on you and you in fact wanted to have the time away from it to think about the thoughts that it fired up in your heart and brain before you go back to where you left off. It's like reading a great book where you sometimes glide, at times crawl, also other times you hop and skip to your heart's delight.
Hmmm...I think I'll watch it all over again this weekend...while curled up on my sofa with a hot drink or some cold pinacolada (depends on the weather)! Yey!
another drama that I loved and really wish I hadn't gobbled up is the woman who still wants to marry. I love that one so dearly, the sound track is amazing the acting and the story is great. It's light but it gets you too.
If it didn't end I'd be fired from my job because I'd either be sleeping at my desk from incessant watching or watching at work ( which I do anyway) but imagine 5 16 episode seasons of city hall. Don't think about how extensions almost always fail, just think of the pleasure of seeing them both dancing at the inaguration of Jo Guk!!!!! Their little children, Ran as a teenager/young adult! Ran's marriage love story etc.
oh, ahjummabunny! li'l jo guks and mi raes, hehehe! then there'd be first daughter or first son spin-offs when he becomes Prez and she, first lady. ;-)
or maybe a back to the future spin-off...apparently their grandparents go back to joseon period and they were from warring clans, etc etc :-)
that's why I dont want to watch it!! its sooo difficult to realize that a drama is ending.... especially when it amazing.. but I guess I'll go bite the bullet and watch it too...:: big Sigh:: damn kdrama drought.
Viola! Oh My! The Kiss! Indescribable, really. I dont know if I have the words for it. Kim Sun Ah, for some reason, was not all over Cha Seung Won at all but there is amazing electricity there. You get the very distinct feeling that SMR wants it as much as JG without being over the top. I think it's all about the timing...all the things that happened led to this one kiss. It's natural not forced. Not desperate, too. I dont know if that's how it came across to you as well ;-) For someone who does not have the words, Im awfully saying too much, hahahahaha! I completely agree. It is The Kiss!
I totally enjoyed watching it, I enjoyed thinking about it, I loved day-dreaming about it, and this is a little odd, but I even enjoyed reading the recaps on it.
I think a part of me cares about City Hall so much because that's sort of what I wish for what would happen in reality - that the politicians who vie for power and fame and money, that they would stop being so damn greedy for power, fame and money, and start helping the people that they swore to protect.
The central idea (at least for JG) is this, that we need to learn that you don't have to step on people's backs to move up in the world - you can also do it by protecting people.
And then, there's the other part of me that cares about City Hall, the love story, because that is what I wish for everyone of my friends and family, that people will learn that you find love so deep and so fierce that you will never, ever let it out of your heart, that your heart would have to beat its last before you would let love flow out of your heart.
This is MR's central theme, that she is strong enough as a person, as a woman, no matter who she faces up against, to protect and nurture the love she has for her city, for her friends, and for her man, and for herself. It is a story worth watching, over and over - that each of us is worthy of such love, and we can be stronger than any adversary, no matter their education, their conspiracies, their eggs / tomatoes, their money or their power.
The combination of Mirae's story and JoGook's story..... powerful combination that makes City Hall such a great drama to watch.
What an eloquent description of everything that makes City Hall so special.
I agree with everything you said. After I finished, I couldn't watch anything else for a while because all other dramas were just so... bad in comparison.
I converted my mom to kdramas by showing her City Hall. :)
meanwhile I'm still too absorbed in CH to write a coherent piece on CH... there are too many things to talk about that I know i just won't be happy with myself on what i write about CH - which makes me really admire people who can write good pieces on CH!! (hats off to the Samsooki the Great who did a marvelous recap on CH - it's like a CH bible to me :P)
i cannot agree more how the political plot of CH has made it a very special drama. we got attracted to the love between MR and JK of course; yet without the development of MR as a politician who doesn't give a damn to the existing rules of the political game CH wouldn't be CH. even JK learnt from MR, IMO. They learnt from each other as politicians and this is one amazing part of the greatness of CH.
"...yet without the development of MR as a politician who doesn’t give a damn to the existing rules of the political game CH wouldn’t be CH."
Agreeing wholeheartedly with you, So3! It's all about the character development...growth...becoming... :-) and going beyond yourself, overcoming, conquering...at a loss for words now, hehe ;-)
WOW!! it's been awhile since i've been here.. i just wanted to let everyone know that i've been so wonderfully preoccuppied by my BEAUTIFUL BABY EKIN who made an appearance to the world on March 5 after 24 hours of induction drugs that did not work. lol.
he is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL and i am enjoying every moment of my time with him.
PLUS!! i graduated last night with my Post-baccalaureate paralegal degree. i'm finally done with school and can spend more time with my baby boy until i land a job in my new field... kinda soon, but not really.. heehee.
drama-wise, now that i have time, i've got to finish crack high and MKIKSS, start 49 days, and re-visit 9 ends and 2 outs. i will have a busy week of dramas!!! so excited!
lb_Tmi! :) I am so happy to see you back! Congratulations on the baby! Remember, you promised pictures to the attic full of crazy aunties here! ;) Give Ekin a hug from me. He is the second OT baby! :)
Sooo glad it's finally the weekend. I just finished Once Upon a Time in Saengchori which was truly a hilarious gem of a drama. It has so much potential for a second season. I'm definitely on board the tvN bandwagon - I think their dramas are so refreshingly different from the usual fare we get from the three main stations.
I plan on watching tvN's Joseon X-Files soon and I can't wait for Manny to begin.
Also, is anyone following the Cricket World Cup here? I'm sooo excited for the Pakistan vs. India semifinal - it's even more hyped up than the final itself!
And also, very happy to see Lee Chun-hee and Jun Hye-jin tie the knot, even if it was a shotgun wedding. He seems to truly love her and I only have best wishes for them. They were so cute in Smile, You. ^_^
i love LOVE once upon a time in saengchori. the last episode seriously made me tear up and i was not expecting that. kids can be so cruel. i am slightly confused about the ending. the characters that "died" really did die, right?
@supah: it took me like a good solid minute to remember all the words to the title.
I call just call it Saengchori. Acronyms are hard!
Sometimes when people write acronyms of shows it takes me longer to read their sentence because I trip up on the said acronym. The only worthwhile time was MiSA (and half the time people had to be explained that it was for "I'm sorry I love you") but it was faster to write, and you were in the "in crowd".
For example: WISFC = Would always take me a minute to realize it's Will it Snow for Christmas.
I wonder if anyone else has had these problems. I'm rambling but yes, I miss it too.
@Janna: You're not the only one, I need a couple more time to understand if people start using acronym, especially for actor name (KJW what? Kim/Kang? Joong/Jae/Jang? Wook/Wu/Won?) Have fun, fun, fun, fun guessing.
Hi everybody, I hope you're having a great Friday. I don't know if this has been discussed in the 49 Days recaps, but something has been bothering me: If Kang (Jo Hyun-jae) is going to end up with YI-KYUNG (Lee Yo-won), isn't he really falling (again) for JI-HYUN (Nam Gyuri) while she is using Yi-Kyung's body? I'm confuse.... Please I want to hear your thoughts...
Also, I haven't seen Ep 4 because I'm waiting for the subs, I just happened to peek through the recap (Damn you JB and GF for making them so awesome), but OMG a half naked Scheduler!!!! More Please!!!!
From what I get, and this is just speculation: Kang will end up with Ji-Hyun. He's falling for her (again) and once all is said and done she'll wake up and slap her fiancee and run off with him.
Now everyone wants the reaper to end up with Ji-hyun, but that's just projecting. It doesn't make much sense story-wise. Yi-kyung.. well.. she has that stalker.. and possibly the reaper has history with her. Is it too bad to say she might end up alone or with the stalker?
OH MY GAAAAAAAAAAAAAWDD!
Choi Min-soo has joined upcoming sageuk Honourable Baek Dong-su! Likely as the title role. The other existing cast member is Nam Ji-hyun. I'm so excited. (Stamping feet, squeeing, then making triumphant fists in anticipation.)
I've been in love with the premise since I heard of it and the casting so far -- a masterstroke.
oh man, that show was far from perfect, but Jung Kyung-ho and Lee Min-jung had some amazing scenes together - i think it was from about ep 10-20 when it got really good. The last quarter was mostly nutso, but when it was good, it was pretty damn good.
Hello All! Today it is snowing outside our window, those light fluffy random flakes that come here in spring.
I have watched many k/j/c dramas this week. Note: I do not watch in it's entirety, I skim and skip to parts I wish to see. Hence the ability to view so many.
Attic Cat (Didn't Like the Ending)
Crazy For You (Surprised By the Ending)
Royal Family (Ooh, Kim In Sook is BAD!)
49 Days (Oh! I think I like this... *happy shock*)
Twinkle Twinkle/Shining (A bit too much talking this week, boring.)
Deka Wanko (Funny!)
Rent a Girlfriend Back Home for New Year (Either a bad translator or bad script. *She wonders, "Are they really talking like that?*)
i just finished ep 2 of twinkle twinkle and really like it so far. is crazy for you good overall? i started it last year bc of YKS but forgot about it somewhere around ep 10.
I disliked the ending because it lacked the final "bang" for me, if that is the right way to put it. It seemed like almost an accident for them to meet again. I would have liked to see some "gusto" or "drive" on Lee Kyung Min's part to go after the woman he loves. It's almost like he gave up. Then when he saw her again, "Oh okay, here she is, let's try again."
I also watched Attic Cat this week and while I enjoyed it, I wasn't satisfied with the end either. I think they made her in to a bit of a shrew at the end... she was carrying a torch for Kim Rae Won forever but refused to acknowledge him when he finally came around.
i just watched the first episode of Royal Family and I'm really captivated by it.....unfortunately i cant watch the dama thru viki as it's unavailable is my region....where're you watching the show?
Great music taste, javabeans! The Seedy Seeds are from my hometown. I've seen them a whole lot.
On a drama note, I've started watching this Japanese drama called Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi (The Fantastic Deer Man) from around 2007. It deals with the old Japanese belief that earthquakes were caused by a giant catfish that lived under Japan. An earthquake would happen when he shook his tail. I thought the premise was fitting given the recent earthquake.
OMG, when i saw it today morning i was think i should share it Dramabean's open thred.... i was just gonna post the link to it....its a bit exaggerated though :P
I haven't been on OT in a few weeks. I started a new treatment and it's rough as hell, but I'm also finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, so I'm hopeful despite the pain.
I got all nostalgic about Hana Yori Dango after the group raving we did about it on here a while back, and I'm kind of having a kdrama drought these days, so I thought I'd rewatch it. It was my first Asian drama (you could call it the gateway drug, lol) and I watched it streaming on mysoju, so it was nice to download it and watch it HQ. Lots of pretty.
Anyway, I forgot how ADDICTIVE it was. I mean, it has its flaws - Hanazawa Rui's crispy orange hair, the OTT-ness at times, the lame grated-apple story (the conflict between Rui and Tsukasa in the manga was way more believeable) - but it's like crack anyway. I marathoned it in 3 days and now I'm rereading the manga. It's just a very happy show. Makino + Domyouji are just magical.
Praying for those in Japan and the Middle East who are faced with hardship, privation, and bloodshed. May God protect them and provide a way out for them.
Hi! Sad to hear about all the pain. I sure hope you are able to get better with the new treatment.
I wanted to ask: What do you like best about Hana Yori Dango? I haven't watched it since Boys Over Flowers put me off the manga premise. Is it really worth watching? You seem to really, really like it.
@MJP, I think it's a combination of the story and the chemistry between the lead actors. The girl who plays Makino especially is an amazing actress, she really plays Makino's strong weed power well. I love that the heroine is tough and doesn't take crap from anyone, but she's also not stupidly fearless. She realizes there will be serious consequences for taking on such a formidable enemy, but she does it anyway because that is being true to herself.
Combine that with the cute way their relationship develops, Domyouji's hilarious personality, the ridiculous yet absorbing plot twists, and all the eye candy (!) and you have an addicting ride. I'm excited you started it! Let me know what you think once you're done. :)
@Viola
OMG what a place to stop! The second season really tore my heart up. I was SO into it. I don't really remember being that involved with the characters in any drama I've watched recently, probably not since City Hall. Maybe I've just become jaded after watching 50+ dramas.
@Lacia
I know what you mean, about not being involved with another dramas as much as the characters in HYD. After watching so many dramas, I feel a little jaded too sometimes. I guess it is hard to recapture the magic of the first few heady days of love. :P
Listen to me, I sound like an octogenarian reminiscing about the "good old days" when dramas were dramas! :P
*hugs* Lacia. I hope you feel better. Oh HYD! you will always have a special place in my heart, after all, you always remember your first. :P
HYD was the first Asian Drama I have ever watched, and god I remember how addicting it was! I had dial-up internet at home then, and trying to watch videos on dial-up is a special kind of hell! But for HYD I tried, eve though I didn't succeed.
It was during summer vacation, and the computer lab in my college was my only access to high speed internet, but because of vacation hours it would close early. It was sheer torture trying to watch the next part of a cliffhanger before all the computers would get shut off.
In the second season, when Makino catches Tsukasa in bed with the second girl...and that's when I had to leave off!!! On a Friday! The lab was closed during the weekend. Oh GOD! Those two days about killed me! :P
So, Lacia I completely get how you feel! :) *hugs* and well wishes. Feel better.
I hope the treatment works out for you, Hwaiting!~
I still have a Margaret phonebook with Hana Yori Dango in my place, my sister loved it. It went on for...ev....er. She even had the anime movie which is tragically bad.
Just because of your's and Viola's recommendations. I watched the first episode of HYD. It pretty much kept my interest. Matsu-jun's fighting was hokey, though. But I have episode 2 cued up and ready to go. Matsu-jun's character is definitely meaner (more menacing) than the BOF Lee Min Ho's character.
Oh wow coincidence, that was my first drama too! I remember I was watching it over the summer with my sister and we had to ration out the episodes because it was so crazy insane that we could only watch one episode at a time. And the second season is equally as awesome as the first. Especially the scene when they (SPOILER!) meet in New York...and he turns around looking as hot as ever and time just freezes, and he looks at her, and she looks at him...and it is just perfect! I don't know why I love that scene so much (I suspect it has something to do with the OST, I'm a sucker for a good soundtrack) but it gets to me every time.
When we finally discovered there was a movie we watched it the following summer (we live on separate sides of the country so we only see each other for a few weeks in the summer) and it was surprisingly good as well. After that I watched Hana Kimi (love that show!) and somehow I ended up finding Korean dramas on my own. It's a strange world...
Sorry about the random ranting, your post just reminded me of a happy memory and I wanted to share. Hope you feel better soon, stay strong!
Omo S(thekintter)! our drama addiction parallels each other! Hana Kimi and Hana Yori Dango was right next to each other in My Sojou, so I did ini mini miney moe and picked HYD. After I finished it, I watched Hana Kimi! :)
I haven't seen your handle in OT before, (it's a pretty unique and nifty handle by the way :)) so, let me welcome you to OT. Thank you so much for sharing your happy memory, it brought back my own. And never ever apologize, we are all about being random on OT *hugs* :)
Hi to you too Viola! Actually it's my first day posting in the OT...or on dramabeans in general really, so no wonder I'm new to you. I have to say people are exceptionally nice here, which is wonderful.
I'm glad there is a place for random ranting on the site, because really, part of the fun of a drama is all the random things that happen when you're watching them, and it's nice to share.
Well then we have to celebrate your delurkee status!! If you had wrote something like "this is my first post on OT.." there would have been a dozen people welcoming you! :P It is kind of like a family here. So, Welcome to the DB family! Yay! :)
im also fairly new here. you couldn't be in a far better place to feed and nurture yr kdrama addiction than here where the craziest, zaniest, coolest, and brightest (and should I say prettiest/handsomest, too?) come together to live, breath, drink, dream, speak kdrama.
That is a perfect moment. I actually am just watching the first episode of season two right now, so I just saw that scene! How fitting. And yes, it is a perfect moment. Also, OMG, MatsuJun is much hotter in the second season. (It's the hair - fluffy rather than nappy.) I'd forgotten.
Ooh I watched Hana Kimi back in the day too. I kind of hated the main actress, but it was a fun show. Nakatsu FTW!
Loved Hana Yori Dango far more than its Taiwan counterpart (Meteor Garden) and Korean version (Boys Over Flowers)!
But I watched MT first before I got hooked in HYD. So I had to watch BOF when it came out...and finish it, even if the OST was killing me, argh!... just so I can fairly judge and compare, hehe.
Best version? HYD wins...hands down! I think it's the more believable and infinitely engaging acting of the main leads that really did it for me. Ieven watched the film version ;-)
Laica <3 HUGS!!!!!! I'm so glad that your treatment is going well! You have been in my prayers :D LOL at the grated apple story :P Where he got that theory was a mystery :P
Just popping in to say "Hi!!! And have a great weekend!"
in 12 hours, I will be done with my paper, officially unconscious, and getting the sleep I've needed all week! Getting pumped!! Then I can have a Fringe / 49 Days marathon tomorrow afternoon when I wake up!
(Was barely awake in class today. I wonder if professors rather their students don't show up at all than to have them show up and struggle futilely against the need to sleep)
I noticed there are a lot of bromances in kdramas nowadays. Who and in what series do you think depicted the best bromance? For me I gotta say it was in SangDoo goes to School. I thought the relationship between Rain and Lee Dong Gan was great. It evolved from being rivals to basically like bros. It was really fun to watch and the chemistry between those two were great. And since it was like one of their earlier series, the acting was really good. Recommend anyone to watch that series since it was so underrated and it was one of Rain's best acting.
agreed! rain was perfect in it and i absolutely loved the relationship between him and lee dong gun. it's just the ending that i didn't love. whyyyyy did the writers have to do that? :(
BEST BROMANCE goes to Gloria's cast. I mean the four leads were great together but the guys one on one were excellent. I'm speaking of suh jiseok and Lee Chun Hee of course. Chun hee seems like a lovable guy in general.
It's bright and beautiful today, but seriously cold! Ah Springtime in a temperate zone...so fickle. ;)
Is anyone else watching All That Glitters/Twinkle Twinkle/Sparkling? So far it's the most soap opera-ish kdrama I've watched (after Boys Over Flowers b/c, really, does anything top that?) but it's got me totally hooked in spite of it's semi-cheese. It's also the longest kdrama I've ever watched. 50 planned episodes. Meep! Luckily (or unluckily, I'm not sure yet) the subbing has been slow so I can definitely fit something else in here, but I don't know what I want to try. After the My Princess obsession, I'm not sure I'm ready to jump into another ongoing drama, much as I want to see 49 Days. What do you guys think, 9 Ends 2 Outs? I'm up for something light and mostly fluffy. Honestly, Twinkle Twinkle is at it's best when it's not too heavy. Although speaking of heavy, I may be in love with the second male lead, Kang Dong Ho.
This is also my first completely unrecapped kdrama and I really miss girlfriday's and javabeans' insight into the show and Korean culture. Things happen and I wonder, okay is this unique to the characters or is this a cultural thing? And even if it's unique to the char, am I missing something else that's culturally significant? But I guess that's the "danger" of watching stuff cross-culturally.
i also love kang dong ho. such an adorable dork. he really reminds me of someone tho, and i can't quite recall who. maybe a dorky version of suh ji suk? i would suggest you watch once upon a time in saengchori. it's just finished and 20 episodes long. there's some romance, mystery, suspense and a whole lot of comedy. i don't think i've laughed so much. the drama went by really fast and i even teared up in the last episode. i hope we get a second season!
But ugh, Rebecca Black certainly has gotten a lot of haterade over the past week or so. Anyway, I love Ryan Higa's YT rant about it. It's HILARIOUS. Omg. I was laughing so hard, especially at the end. Has anyone else seen it? Hahaha. It's awesome!
Remember your next week is reserved for Kim Jae Won but I think it's the kid actors in ep 1.I wonder how long they will have child actors play the story.
finally watched the Man From Nowhere this week - WON BIN OMG SO GOOD! also kim sae-ron was great. great movie. will have to see it again. also, Secretary Kim from SG as a gangster? pretty good, if weird, lol.
might marathon eps 1-4 of 49 Days this weekend - it's the kind of story i feel is better viewed in blocks than each episode at a time. So if i like it, it'll be 2 eps in a row at the weekend. if it's not a drama weekend, i'm gonna watch Cyrano Dating Agency (finally found subs!)
Also, thank you to whoever posted the "Finding Kim Jong Wook" link in last week's OT - it was so cute! not the best written movie, but gong yoo and im soo-jung were great in it
Currently at work on my day off but I can't complain because tomorrow I leave for my very first trip to Europe for a month. Yay for lots of vacation time!
Thanks Carinne ! I am starting in spain and then I am going to france, germany, Switzerland, then italy before I fly back. I actually packed this past weekend because I knew I would be swamped with work till today.
From all the dramas who are currently airing IMHO the best of them all is ”Twinkle Twinkle” (50 Episodes).
The premise of this drama circles around to female characters
Han Jung-Won played by Kim Hyun-Joo (The Partner, Boys Over Flowers) and Hwang Geum-Ran played by Lee Yu-Ri (Daring Woman, I Love You. Don’t Cry).
Han Jung-Won is the daughter of rich parents, who the father owns a publishing company, she happens to work for her Dad and is constantly competing with her older sibling, in the hopes that she will eventually inherit the company,
On the other hand we have Hwang Geum-Ran the daughter of a struggling family, even when the mother owns her restaurant, she and her extended family are always having to pay for the failures of her gambling addicted father, and she happens to work as a clerk at a bookstore.
Well the main theme so far, deals with the discovery that the two girls where switched at birth, we have seen this theme before in K-drama land, even “New Gisaeng Story” is based upon that premise. But in this drama the turn of events is so organic that by the time the switch is finally confirm via 2 DNA test, episodes 6, 7, that I was in tears!!! I mean the pace of the drama and the acting is so good, that I was so move by the fact the this event, has not only set to completely change the circumstances of two individuals, but the life’s of both extended families are set to be change forever.
By the way the thing that I like the most is how well balance is how Comedy is set against the Melodrama on this show.
The sub-plots are fresh and very well written, the writer does not get hang (so far) in dragging a premise to long, so far she is rounding and resolving the issues in about 1 or 2 episodes, and the continuation of a theme is only used to advance the story forward.
Subplots: Han Jung-Won's relationship with Song Soong-Joon played by Kim Seok-Hun (The Iron Empress, A Man and A Woman), Han Jung-Won was hoping to get promoted to Editor-in-Chief, but her father instead hired Song Soong-Joon, so we have work related angst, and possible romance.
Hwang Geum-Ran's relationship to Song Soong-Joon, Soong has become almost like a silent “Guardian Angel”, after he help her out, following her break up from her boyfriend, hopefully their relationship is not going to create problems in the future.
Hwang Geum-Ran's family dynamics are to a certain extent the comedy side of the drama, specially the relationship between her Mom and Dad, Her older sister and her poor little nice who is forced feed the English language 24/7.
It also deals with a young man who has become a single father, because the Mom basically abandon the child to go and better herself back int the States, and the little baby is used as a very good part of the story line, since the 2 families get some how connected because the relationship to the baby.
Well I hope that this little recap will bring more viewers to a very “underrated” drama, that truly deserves more praise, I feel that if it continues like this for the rest of the 50 episodes it will a real success.
P.S. The ratings have improve dramatically and it's hitting double digits!!!! “Twinkle Twinkle Fighting”!!
I too think you did a great job recapping Twinkle Twinkle/Shining. You can always keep us updated on the OT!!! Looking forward to more posts from you, as always!
Nicely put! I'm enjoying this show, and I love to hate Geum-Ran. I find her too selfish and I think she's only interested in the money. She also blames Jung Won as if is her fault they were switch at the hospital.
I'm afraid of Soong-Joon and Geum Ram's possible relationship. I think he will fall for her first and this infuriates me!!! Can't he see that Jung Won is a better person? She's kind, sweet, honest and hard working. Plus, she IS Gu Jun-pyo's noona, for Pete's sake!!!
@ahjummabunny, thank you for the "Unnie" compliment, but I am actually an "oppa", hahahaha, well I don't think I am qualify to attempt a full recap of 50 episodes, but thank you for your vote of confidence!!! : O }
@Linda165, that's the same thing that I am hoping, I hope the writer do not turn Geum-Ran in to the proverbial "Bad Girl".
* Warning Spoiler* I Just finishing watching episode 9 and Geum-Ran does not appear to be just trying to make a "quick dollar", I think she is being genuine about her new discovered relationship with her real mom, What I really like is the way the writer is developing the story line, when Geum- calls her real Mom "o-mmo-ni" for the first time we se how she apologizes in her mind to her other mom and uses the word "omma" , I believe that Geum-Ran does want to get out of being poor, but I hope that she does not turn really evil, and make the two families suffer, since it is nobody's fault but the Hospital's!!!!!
Dude the scene in the bookstore where her mom sees Geum-Ran with the new clothes her real Mom just gave her and the new handbag, and walk away hand in hand was just a tearjerker, I am really liking this drama more and more with every hew episode!!!! On to watch episode 10!!!! TT FTW!!!!!!
ahh okay. i always thought you were a man from the way you wrote and was shocked to discovered you were a female with the unnie comment. but in the end, you are a guy.
OOOOPPPPAAA!
Mea nae yo!
I know 50 episodes is an undertaking. Well maybe someone else will join in with you? Any takers? I would volunteer except I haven't watched the show ( I think it premiered stateside last weekend but I watched sbs drama instead) and I am a person who doesn't mind spoilers while others might I might muddy the episodes with my omniscience.
Definitely one of the things I'm really loving about this drama is that Geum Ran isn't just turning into an Eviline character. She's got definite character flaws (she can't see the life-forest for the poverty-trees) but she's not just making schemes to ingratiate herself into Han family and displace Jun Won. Nice to know that continues. Oh the agony of waiting for Ep 9 subs!
Your comment about SSJ and HGR "hopefully their relationship is not going to create problems in the future."
shows you are a fan of Han Jung-Won, too.
I'm thinking the only way it would cause a problem is by misunderstanding. I think if SSJ falls for HJW, espcially since she will now be working for him as a regular Josephine instead being one of the owner's family, he will stay true to her.
SSJ is one of my favorite male characters in a long time, righteous to a fault, about to have to change his mind about some things.
Happy Friday! I have been catching up with films because of the current dirth of superkalifragilistic dramas... I watched Ajusshi, Searching for Kim Jong-Ok, and the Good, the Bad, and the Weird. Ajusshi oh so many things of goodness...especially the visceral feel. Searching for Kim Jong-Ok...who wouldn't look everywhere Gong Woo as traveling hipster dude? A very pleasant film. The Good, the Bad and Weird was hilarious and wonderful. Song Kang-ho looks like an old flatmate of mine, which makes everything more surreal. His character as the weird is great. I grew up watching Clint Eastwood and many other westerns with my Dad, this was a super furry happy redefinition of the genre.
Please clarify for me, if you will what you meant by "Visceral feel?" Deep feeling, instinctive feeling or crude feeling? (Yes, I had to look the word up... :-) )
The movie deals with instinctive emotions. The characters are written simply, the story being about the journey the man must undergo to save the people he cherishes. The violence is unrelenting and unembellished. People are not always graceful. The noir lighting and ambiant sound further grounded the story's sense of reality.
The movie kinda made me want to crawl out of my skin at times and I was completely wrapped in it the entire time I was watching.
Happy OT everyone.Everyone seems up and happy this morning.
It's freezing here and I feel the need for some hot bulgulgi and some banchan.Off to the shops to buy the ingredients-the nearest Korean place is like 45min away :-) Too lazy to drive that far.
Oh and MJP your hubby snickering at Gong Yoo...what?Sacrilegious not one can snicker at Goong Yoo!
My other half just 'looks' at me when I change my wallpaper on my laptop.
That's because of you guys it was Lee Dong Wook after all the raving about 'My Girl' last week.
This week is Chung Jung Myung 'What's up fox?' I can't access dramacrazy and mysoju links are not working.WITHs2 subs are not synched to the video.I ended up watch the whole series unsubbed except for ep 16.
It was so so so good.My Korean not so good...but enough for me to catch some great lines and man he oozes Noona killer 'come hither to me' looks.
Now to minimise my laptop screen and looks some more at him.Gulp.
is it chung jung myung with the beard? I wish he would wear a beard all the time and move in next door to me and ask me to make him ramen ( I have a killer recipe!)
I looked on Dramawiki to read about Chung Jung Myung. He is currently in "The Duo". Are you watching that kdrama?
I haven't watched "What's up fox?" yet. I hope I remember to watch it. I am currently watching Laica and Viola's pick of Hana Yori Dango. Is it funny? The synopsis reads like it's really funny... I might get sidetracked from HYD... I REALLY like funny! Oooh what to do? What to do?
I think I am just going to peek at it... Just a little peek at episode 1... hmm, it won't distract me from finishing HYD... no not me! ;-)
Once I saw the cute 'waiter guy' from Coffee Prince I was in. See another couple of older actors that I like too. The 'butcher guy' in Coffee Prince and the grandpa from My Princess.
Hi everyone! Watching All About Eve now. Didn't know the PP girl was Eve. She's good. I prefer her evil and dark to fluffy and ditzy. I think she did something to her eyebrows to make them arch more evilly.
Sam, aren't you watching 49 days? Time is running out.
Jomo, say hi to the owls for me.
clichique, where are you? Kang has got nice big eyes but they don't stare into your soul. Soul. haha.
Viola, Siwon told me his abs have started to sag.
izzie, quit hiding and come out. I forgive what you did to grandpa.
YY, thank you for telling me the vital news. Even though it's utterly false, and a malicious slander to boot, it gives me a valid excuse. Now, I must go and inspect them; Diligently.
My hubby is appearing as Ren in Skip Beat, so must not let him go out looking less than his best! :P
YY! hiya there, my dear! 49 days? Havent gotten to it yet. Tnks for the tip...will check that out, too. Have been just so absorbed and ecstatic over City Hall and The Kiss ;-) and Ive been playing its OST like crazy these days, especially...
'Kurae Nareul Midja' (Okay, I'll Believe in Myself)...here's a YT link of its acoustic live version:
But all the songs in the OST are really really good! ;-)
Hmmm...Im also wondering -- where could izzie be? She's scheduled to fly to Korea soon last time I heard from her....could she be hounding grampa now? :-)
I love those two songs as well - they're my favourite from the soundtrack. I was constantly playing the OST for a few weeks after I watched CH. I still listen to Buranhan Sarang regularly... god that voice, and the lyrics are so perfect for their relationship. It's probably the most beautiful song from a Korean drama that I've ever heard. I always think of that scene where Jo Gook comes to see her with flowers behind his back, and she's sitting on that table in her yard with the blossoms falling down, and he says, "Will you go on a trip with me?" and the song starts to play... and they just look at each other...
laica, i just finished watching CH so my brain is in auto-CH OST-pilot mode these days, hehehehe ;-) the OST is superb! the genre is as versatile as the drama itself. need i say more? :-) that scene in her garden when he handed the bouquet is one of the best for me, too (among so many fave scenes, hehe)...
One of the most memorable lines, if not the best, from CH for me was when SMR asked JG, "Did you use the trip as an excuse to bring that (thing about being mayor) up?" and JG answered, "No, I used the thing about being mayor as an excuse to go an a trip with you."
Best wordplay. Ever.
CH is one of my favourite dramas. I've watched it so many times that I have memorized what happens in which episode. Hahah. ;)
Oh, schmazel! That's the best line for me, too (among so many faves in this drama)! This JG is a man after my own heart, hehe ;-) Loved the wordplay ;-) like a Jason Mraz poetry/song ;-)
Love all your City Hall raving. It is still my all time favorite with so many layers that you can dissect it to death. The wonderful CH thread creator at Soompi, Alodia, has compiled the most comprehensive index of all things CH at http://www.soompi.com/forums/topic/266165-drama-2009-the-city-hall/ It is a labour of love - enjoy!
The CH love in no small way is due to Samsooki's exquisite recap here at DB. All the best, Samsooki, wherever you are now!
LOL! Hey there, samgetang sistah. :) Been quite busy with work (with the news channel and all that), plus I'm preparing for my trip so I'm trying to brush up on my Korean before the flight. I'm quite excited but haven't finalized my itinerary yet.
How about you? How have you been? (That also goes to the other sistahs here: YY, Jomo, Viola...) Any news about KDL, sumee & pastmidnite?
been well, my dear izzie. we all missed yah here at OT. i see sumee here sometimes but kdl and pastmidnite, nary their shadows...sad, sad.
but im happy yr korea trip is near. is this work-related or for study? last time i went there was many years ago...and i was not a kdrama fan yet...if only i'd known, haha!
I miss you all too, Moony-Loony sisters. :) Is there a YAI drama yet? *sigh* The one dongsaeng that rules 'em (noonas) all...
"is this work-related or for study?"
Neither. It's for fun!!! :D *sigh* I SO need this break and am SO excited, although it will only be for a few days. Speaking of "study," I'm also looking at applying for a masters degree on info & media mgt. in SK. So... I hope I get through and I hope my bosses approve since it would take me a year away from work. *crosses fingers.*
"last time i went there was many years ago…and i was not a kdrama fan yet…if only i’d known, haha!"
You can always go back. :) Oh come on, what's keeping you? :)
for fun! yay! good for you, hard-working izzie!!!!
might take awhile before my next trip to SK...first things first...my biz is just in its baby stages....my last trip was in beijing 2 years ago...thats what one must sacrifice when you start on your own, hehe...not complaining though ;-)
LOL! It's okay. I might go back to part-time school after my trip anyway. :)
Work is, well... back-breaking. I barely have time to feed my kdrama addiction. TV work has been very demanding since the triple catastrophe in Japan (although I can't really complain especially when I am reminded of the sufferings of the people over there), disasters & troubles in other countries, and some big news in our local political scene lately. It's just plain crazy in the office. It's good to have this short break (trip to SK) to look forward to, but when I return, I expect a pile of things to do again.
But as I've said, I'm excited about my trip. Scenes from my visit last year have been flashing in my mind more frequently lately. :) I'd be going mid-April and hope to be there right in time for the cherry blossoms in full bloom. :)
izzie dear! we missed yah! i guess you've been very busy with a lot of guys who love to invoke their rights against self-incrimination like its a bottomless pit....
ive been glued to your channel, too ;-) i dont know if im guessing your network correctly...hint pls...
if you are anywhere near makati pls give me a ring (PM me at samgetangph@gmail.com) so we can meet up before you go to the land of the morning calm ;-)
"i guess you’ve been very busy with a lot of guys who love to invoke their rights against self-incrimination like its a bottomless pit…."
Yeah. They remind me so much of my former-formers... :P
"ive been glued to your channel, too ;-) i dont know if im guessing your network correctly…hint pls…"
Guessed it right. ;) And thank you for watching the new channel. It's an honor for us that it's getting a good reception.
Btw, have you seen the SG plug yet? ;) I'm quite excited about the drama's airing and very curious as to how the local audience would react to it. But I'm sensing that after all these, sparkly tracksuits would surface in the stalls of divisoria and baclaran, and donned by people who trod the streets of MM albeit the tropical weather. Body odors be damned.
Gosh. I'm here in QC. :( anyway, makati's just a train ride away... :)
izzie girl, i was thinking about the other network actually, hehe (they are currently airing MP, too, i saw in the news online just today...did not watch it yet...wonder how PHY would look and sound like speaking the local tongue) but your network's parallel news channel i heard is a cooler version. so you moved there from the main station? no wonder you've been busy eh? sadly, i dont watch the local tv so havent seen the SG plug yet. is it going heads to heads with MP then? wow! tough choice for the audience. id go for MP myself but HB has a lot of local fans bcos of MNIKSS fame, right? i know! i can smell divisoria knock-offs of JW's italian sparkle jacket, hehe. di bale ng bumula ang kili2, hahaha!
one year off from work, woah! hope you get that sabbatical leave approved. my childhood friend from the other network, also in the news, took same sabbatical to study in Oz and never came back cos she got herself hooked with this Norwegian guy. and she was very passionate with her job! she's now in oslo with her 2 kids. so you better be careful if u plan to do your studies in SK ok, hehe....
yeah, get into that MRT and check out this side of town...PM me....yey!
Hello OT-ers! So glad that the weekend is finally here. I totally qualify to be a Superwoman after the crazy week I've had. I went to a conference 5 hours from where I live, presented my project there, worked on a presentation and a summary, came back 3 days later, had a presentation on the day I arrived home and the next day had another presentation in class and not to mention homework...and lived to tell the story! I congratulate myself! Heheh. Now it's time to prepare for another presentation and decide on my project topics and work on my thesis.
I think I need some Korean ginseng chicken soup, or my mum's home-cooked food but she's half the globe away. :(
On the other hand, I've started counting down the days to Easter holidays!! 3 weeks left! :D
Still have Japan and the Middle East as well as Myanmar on my mind.
Thanks! Yeah, the weather is getting warmer. Time to bring out my shorts and sandals and say good bye to long-sleeved tops and turtlenecks. :D
Unfortunately, I won't be going home for Easter, but no worries...I'll be home for Christmas! Counting down the days to that as well. I plan to do some travelling in summer around Mexico (which is where I'm studying now) and am excited and really looking forward to that, not to mention just resting my brain and not worrying about homework. ;)
I am listening to the song "Friday" by Rebecca Black, and I must admit that this song, even tough it has not much of a redeeming value, the people who produce this song are brilliant.
Rebecca Black reminds me of a lot of "White" singers before her, many people do not know who Richard Wayne Penniman (aka Little Richard) is, he truly is the "Father of Rock and Roll", and the first Black/White entertainer who wore woman's clothing and makeup, specially red lipstick and eye liner circa 1950's and 1960's.
White entertainers like Elvis, Pat Boone, etc made millions remaking not only the songs that Little Richard wrote and recorded first, but trough the better part of the last 100 years of recorded music here in the USA @ 80% percent of all the popular music has been created by Black musicians and entertainers, from the Blues, Jazz, Zydeco, Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Reggae, Funk, Disco, Rap, R&B etc. etc.
Please do not get me wrong! I am not saying that "Blue-eye soul" artist are not talented, we have Janis Joplin, Teena Marie, Sheena Easton, Christina Aguilera, Fergie, Joss Stone, Pink, to name a few, all I am saying is this; The amount of Black artist singing now days, as in the past, will always be overshadow by their White counterparts, I think maybe the majority feels that Black music always sound better or looks better with White skin!
Of course you mean that RB is not as talented as the some of the earlier singers who covered Little Richard - like Elvis - just that her "packaging" reminds you of them, right?
From the one song/vid I've seen of Rebecca Black I think she's very talented. Unless ppl are souping up her voice with technology, she's got a great sound esp for someone fairly young. (I'm a singer, btw. Not professionally b/c that's not my thing, but I do sing w/a professional jazz guitarist when he does special gigs, and in an amateur band.) When you're younger, your voice tends to be reedy, especially if you're a soprano or alto. She's strong, she's clear....she could work on her breathing but that will probably get better as her body matures.
What I didn't like was the song she sang, ironically enough! Not that it was a bad song in itself--Christina Perri's "Jar of Hearts" which I love--but I wasn't keen on an 13 year old singing it. I realize I may be the youngest prude I know, esp when I think on some of the songs I used to sing w/my friends when I was much younger (Janet Jackson's "Bad Boys" in kindergarten!).
And I have just realized that I misremembered the name of the person performing Jar of Hearts. It's a girl named Maddi Jane (for whom all my previous comments stand) and not Rebecca Black! So different! In *that* case, yes I agree that Ms. Black has an average voice.
hmmm ....actually I felt more "jolted" by your comment "I think maybe the majority feels that Black music always sound better or looks better with White skin!"and saddened and resigned by the truth of "The amount of Black artist singing now days, as in the past, will always be overshadow by their White counterparts"
I have grown up semi annoyed at music mainly because all my life I have seen/heard music that was developed by my peeps done over in less pleasing ways by the majority.
The many of the early BES artist are consider thieves by many AA because of how they became BES. ...
I could go full rant here... but I wont.. but I most definitely did a few papers on this subject in High and University....
hey everyone!!!!!! happy weekend!!!!
so, i felt withdrawal symptoms. the last drama i saw was paradise ranch, and it ended last week...what should i watch now? i'm looking forward to goodbye mrs ripley and city hunter, but until that airs, maybe i should watch 49 days...it sounds cool. problem is, i also have to study for university entrance exams in june.....what do you guys suggest? oh, and can you guys help me, please? i'm applying for a work position, and there is a question on the form asking about previous work experience and stuff. i've never worked before, but i don't want to leave it blank. any advice on what i should do?
Than to leave it blank, better to fill it with: your experience in organization or your experience as a part of committee for special occasion. Wish that help, I'm working on my CV and cover letter too.
Phee (read like I in Kimchi) is how you will read my 1st syllable of my IRL name (you know my FB name ;) ) but because Korean doesn't have F, I'm ok with P
Pohon (both O are read like O in Yobo) : the 2nd syllable of my IRL name supposed to be read like tree in English when you translate back to my language tree means that word (Eunso in Autumn in My heart who like to become a tree, remember? Ok that has no correlation :D )
Second- adding to what pohonphee says, it counts even if you didn't get paid.
As a hiring manager for many years, we look for reasons to hire someone we like, even if on paper they are not the ideal candidate.
The hiring manager will see through any attempt of you to lie stretch the truth about not having been employed, but will be interested in talking to you more if you can word your non-paid work the right way.
It's been a while for me but I recall buying some books for doing CVs and cover letters.
Then using action verbs to list qualities you have/done in your unpaid work to tie in with the job speifications they are looking for in the job description.
Hi! I think folks have covered the "volunteer labor" work experience. Just remember, it is never too late to volunteer and update your resume. I believe resume's are what is called "living" documents, meaning they always change.
But I thought of something else. When I first started out I signed up with various temporary agencies to "get my feet wet". I worked various one to three day temp jobs, that was all that was on my resume in the beginning.
I’ll think of Sonja’s washboard stomach when I do my laundry and pat every Andre-lookalike I come across.
But it’s ‘still-got-to-grow-up’ Da-mo I’ll miss the most. Hopefully I won’t come across to many like him in his present stage of life…and when I come back he’ll have found a way to say what he really thinks rather than ‘I want you to be my sister.’ That’s one terrible phrase…
That was definitely a relationship killing line. I really.. don't get how everyone likes Da-mo. But I know, he needs to grow and stuff. I'm excited for today's episode... because it's bad news for Da-mo and I like pouring the haterade.
I like Son-ja for his attitude, but now no one will believe me. I've never hated being a noona more than this.
![[Beanie Review] Queen of Tears](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/QueenOfTears_reviewb.jpg)
![[K-Movie Night] April Snow](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AprilSnow_1.jpg)
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1 jully moue
March 25, 2011 at 6:58 AM
Everyone including my two favourite bloggers (JB and GF) do watch this, for a unique of kdramas, they are by WongFu Productions who resides in LA. =]] Would be a nice short video to start your awesome weekends! Love y'all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlfchQIqUjI
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jully moue
March 25, 2011 at 6:59 AM
opps i typed so fast i left out.. *unique take of kdramas*
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 7:31 AM
That was GREAT!
I swear she was doing Song Hye Kyo as Choi Eun Suh who talked like that for most of her scenes with SSH.
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So3
March 25, 2011 at 8:16 AM
LOL i thought about that too while watching!!!
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 7:31 AM
Hilarious!!!!! :-)
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 8:12 AM
That was sooo funny! The behind the scene was video was awesome too!
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QuietLurker
March 25, 2011 at 8:23 AM
I just found my new obsession....Wong Fu Productions
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jully moue
March 25, 2011 at 6:09 PM
haha, it's one of my obsession too! three funny yet serious guys they are ...
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM
Absolutely HILARIOUS!!!
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brookeeve
March 25, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Gold!
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janna
March 25, 2011 at 2:45 PM
flawless perfection. "I will live a tragically romantic life of despair for you" hahaha. The doctor said he had the surgery done on him...who ... gave up their..uhhh.... for the doctor? DUN DUN DUN
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lize
March 25, 2011 at 10:42 PM
SOOOOO FUNNY!
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2 Ashley Thomas
March 25, 2011 at 7:03 AM
Happy Friday, everybody!
It's a rainy, very cold day here in Missouri...for once I'm actually happy to be in my windowless office with my cozy lighting, because it's keeping me from feeling dreary!
All my best intentions to begin 49 Days fell through this week, so I've had to comfort myself with just reading the recaps...but I'm determined to start watching soon, because it looks like it's living up to the hopes for it!!
Still praying for the people of Japan and also for the Middle East, where the unrest just seems to keep growing and growing...
Must run back to my work...hope you're all doing well this week! :)
Oh...PS...is anybody else looking forward to Maids?? For some reason that one is grabbing my attention...hope it turns out to be enjoyable!
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Jeanie65jh
March 25, 2011 at 7:18 AM
I live in St. Louis and I'm right there with ya. I think all the dafodils are dead now. Definitely had enough of winter! Yuk.
49 days is great so far and just think...the longer you wait the more episodes they'll have stacked up for you to watch!
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Ashley Thomas
March 25, 2011 at 7:58 AM
Yeah...I've kind of been holding off because I do enjoy watching a few episodes in a row when I begin a drama - that way I get a better feeling for the tone and the overall story! I learned to do that with k-dramas after I tried showing just one episode of Coffee Prince to a friend - she couldn't handle the eating scene in the first ep, and since she didn't see any other episode she thought that's how the whole thing would be! So now I usually watch, and make others watch, at least 2 eps before making a decision about whether to follow a drama!
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So3
March 25, 2011 at 8:04 AM
nice seeing someone at St. Louis! I used to study there, though am now at the other side of the Pacific Ocean =P
I do think 49 days is getting better episode by episode, esp. as Ji-Hyun is being played more by Lee Yo Won and I'm happy with the pace of the drama.
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 9:19 AM
could the some reason be jung gyu woon!!!!!
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 9:25 AM
I haven't really checked out Maids yet. I'll wait until it comes before making a decision.
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3 girlatsea
March 25, 2011 at 7:10 AM
How is 49 Days, entertainment-wise? I know the plot already but it's not a melodrama right? Is it more of a romantic comedy?
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Jeanie65jh
March 25, 2011 at 7:19 AM
It's more on the drama side but with light moments. So far it's a well told story. I recommend it highly. I know it's early but very promising. I hope they keep it up through its run. Good Show.
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.....
March 25, 2011 at 7:38 AM
Its average. Not THAT good as hyped.
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 7:48 AM
It's building right now, will be picking up steam as some of the past stories start to come into focus.
But I like the pacing. It matches how the relationships are forming, and motivations are being revealed, peeled away a layer at a time.
If it weren't being recapped here, this could be for me one of the ones to wait until you can watch 8 episodes in a row.
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QD
March 25, 2011 at 8:12 AM
Im enjoying 49 Days. Its good from the get go! Its moving fast and there is still so much I want to know about each of the characters. I'm still undecided who I'm rooting for as its still early days but I already care for the main leads! To be honest, I might get shot for saying this but then again maybe it is too premature as its only 4 episodes on but Im loving 49 Days more than Secret Garden! I might one day regret this but right its 49 Days is rocking my world!!! JB & GF, I am relatively new here and just wanted to say you guys bring a whole new meaning to my TGIFs!!!! Kamsahamida!!!Hope everyone has a great weekend & Happy Friday too!
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 9:32 AM
I started watching it this week. It is dramatic, but a bit funny too. The actors/actresses have some good camaraderie! I am enjoying it. I do confess to liking Royal Family better, but who has to choose only one to like?
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4 hAil3Y
March 25, 2011 at 7:10 AM
HAPPY FRIDAY! :D
yay i'm the 4th one! haha xD
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5 heejung
March 25, 2011 at 7:19 AM
Anyone here watching The Duo/짝패? Thoughts?
I just started a week ago and blazed through the first 8 or so episodes. The younger years were so addicting. However, I really don't like the way the OTP romance is heading!!! I seriously dislike Dongnyeo, both the character and the actress, and I like Dalyi so much better!!! But I love both the guys, and I really don't know if I should continue and just get my heart broken. :( Pieeee....
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 9:22 AM
I hate when the youth actors steal the show! You keep thinking why am I suffering through this woman when nam ji hyun was more of an adult than she is! I suppose she was trying to link the two characters by dumbing her self down but that is stupid! The duo premiered this week on mbc in america but I missed the the first two episodes because I was watching smile you but I'll be sure to savour it this weekend.
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GrandmaFran
March 25, 2011 at 1:44 PM
i only watched up til ep 10 but am seriously considering dropping it. does it get any better because it got pretty meh when the adults showed up. which i was not expecting. :(
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6 ohlakakablah
March 25, 2011 at 7:32 AM
Hi all.
I'm really excited for 'can you hear my heart?'
1 more week to go! :D
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 10:03 AM
Oh Yeah!
Kim Jae Won... Kim Jae Won...
http://img.imbc.com/imbc/afieldfile/2005/02/28/p_17.jpg
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Dav
March 25, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Meh.
*ducks*
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 1:12 PM
It's okay to say "meh". :-) Who do you like?
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ck1Oz
March 25, 2011 at 3:20 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPGWHtzxe_o&feature=player_embeddedFlag Delete
Too skinny to start a drama with because they all loose weight but still with his megawatt smile :-)
MJP
March 25, 2011 at 7:16 PM
ck1Oz,
Thanks! That is the first trailer I have seen for the show! You are the BEST!!!!! *hugs and more hugs*
7 Maria
March 25, 2011 at 7:33 AM
Who is your favourite kdrama actor?
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 7:41 AM
Maria, take a wild guess!! :P I will even give you a hint : It starts with S... :P
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Maria
March 25, 2011 at 8:10 AM
SSH or So ji sub or Song joonki
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 8:33 AM
ends with IWON.
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 8:51 AM
Close, Maria. Very close, especially about Song Joonki. But try again! :P
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GrandmaFran
March 25, 2011 at 1:46 PM
choi siwon? lol
Ranie
March 25, 2011 at 7:47 AM
Lee Minho, Jae Hee, etc
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Ashley Thomas
March 25, 2011 at 7:59 AM
Lee Jung Jin and Hyun Bin! <3
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QD
March 25, 2011 at 8:06 AM
Gong Yoo! heh
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 9:23 AM
Gong Yoo is an excellent choice!
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QD
March 25, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Thank you MJP! I think so too! ;) We must have excellent taste ! LOL .....
elle loves kdrama
March 26, 2011 at 8:27 AM
my fav too! add Kiim Nam Gil and Joo Sang Wook.
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 8:05 AM
All the good actors have been claimed. I decided to go after somebody nobody ever heard of.
MINE is Choi Min, everyone, hands off.
He is the dad in the Buick commercial, the guy at the poker table, the guy that comes in an beats up the second lead, the Dad in the Kia commercial and now, the Dad in the rice commercial who tells his wife that it's delicious.
It is interesting following a CF actor. if someone were to piece together all of these roles, you'd end up with a story about a serial polygamist with several daughters the same age, who buys a lot of teddy bears for them. Or, maybe a spy, because he gets to wear tuxes a lot.
Very handsome, too.
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Jomo,
Ba Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!
But I cannot find him to see who he is. Is he:
Choi Min-sik?
Choi Min Soo?
Please provide a link to your man! :-)
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 10:59 AM
I like how you're calling him my man. :)
He name is: Choi, Choi Min.
No other names necessary.
Here his translated page with pretty photos:
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.choimin.com%2F&sl=ko&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 1:17 PM
Ooooohhhhhhh!!!!!!!! Yummy!!! Are you sure you don't want to share?
jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Oh, all RIGHT!
I could never be a hoarder when there is so much Choi Min love out there...
lessaofpern
March 26, 2011 at 2:26 PM
OMO our JOMO has Excellent Taste!!!! :D
DeeDee315
March 26, 2011 at 8:13 PM
You can have Choi Min, I'll take Kim Sung Soo. He's been around for a long time & seems to get stuck doing sit-coms & family dramas. This "Full House" 2nd lead, is smart & a wonderful actor. Can't wait to see him as a fighter pilot in "Red Scarf". Nothing better than a man who wears a flight suit. I even married one.
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So3
March 25, 2011 at 8:06 AM
CSW CSW CSW
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MsRetta
March 25, 2011 at 10:44 PM
oh yes!
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Nikki
March 25, 2011 at 8:06 AM
My I-LUB-YOU is Lee Jun Ki. Fav actor is Gong Yoo.
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angelpur
March 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM
Lee Min Ki, Kim Soo Hyun (started pre-Dream High with Giant), Jae Hee
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Did you see Kim So Hyun in will it snow for christmas? his giant role is nothing compared to that one.
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Ji Sung (He is SPLENDID in Royal Family!)
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 9:28 AM
I can't say I have a favorite. There are many that I think are great actors/actresses and many that I obsess over on db's site but the ones I'm missing now are Kim Rae Won and Park Jin Hee. I always think the actress Park Si Yeon should get more work she has great potential and the same goes for the character actor choi jae hwan. he is always great to see. he gives a solid performance each time.
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brookeeve
March 25, 2011 at 12:07 PM
TOP!
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Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 10:10 AM
of course....lol
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hapacalgirl
March 25, 2011 at 1:32 PM
Gong Yoo but I have to admit Kim Soo Hyun is going up in the ranks.
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hAil3Y
March 27, 2011 at 12:28 AM
Yeah! He's so talented and hawwt! XD
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8 jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 7:44 AM
Happy Friday! Nice to see everyone. We had half a foot of snow Tuesday. So sucks.
Watching Giant is exhausting - on Episode 49/60 and counting... but I am hanging in there for JSW/Minwoo-shi. Hey Drama writers - When's that guy gonna get a HAPPY character to play?
Clichique/YY - wondering what you would say about Gangmo's eyes. O_O
The more I watch, the hotter Seungmo's getting, too.
Oooh baby, with your three piece suits and your gunplay, and your teeny tiny smiles of HATE.
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 7:52 AM
Careful now Jomo, Hiroki might get jealous and decide to fall without you holding him up! :P
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 8:06 AM
Ahhhh Hiroki...so uplifting to see him...
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lessaofpern
March 26, 2011 at 2:27 PM
I just played the UP UP UP song for him :P
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 1:53 PM
I find seungmo's character to be the most pitiful of them all. and I'm not just talking about the ending. I understand the show is about kang mo but they could've fleshed out seungmo some more.
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pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Nooo, my Minwoo is the saddest character in that drama (fangirling of course :P ) At least Seungmo has one purpose in his life, he won't go through so much self struggling when he has to decide his next action as long as he can destroy Jo Pilyeon at the end.
But my heart breaking when I see Minwoo trying his best to be a good son, and a good lover at the same time, knowing when one is happy, the other won't be, and none of his father or his lover sympathizes him, awww. Just there, standing sad and alone....
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janna
March 26, 2011 at 3:41 PM
Throughout the show I was secretly longing for Min-woo to just steal all his moms jewelry, tell everyone off and gtfo of town. I mean, really. Being a good son didn't matter once Dad started to beat the tar out of him. I think at that point you need to make some hard decisions about who is more important to please, but he just stuck around wavering until the end.
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jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 4:17 PM
This is one part of Kdrama's - the steady loyal sons who take a beating from Dad - that does not translate to my US born eyes/ears.
Maybe because I have been taught since I was little that if someone hits you once, beware. If someone hits you twice, GET OUT!
In MW's case, his fortunes were so tied up with his Dad's I can see why early on he might stay. But you are right, he would have been happier to leave all Dad's dreams behind and work on his own.
pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 7:16 PM
I'm from Asia, and I have faced this in real life: There's a woman who has been abuse so many time by her husband and she still refused to leave him. She's independent enough, and she'll have her family to support her after she leaves him if she ever do. That fact I never understand, never. But that makes me easier to understand the Minwoo character and why he can not just leave his father. Because he's simply his father.
janna
March 26, 2011 at 7:48 PM
Well, to be fair I don't think this is exclusive to Asia or Korea. I think Min-woo stuck around because he is an only child. Perhaps if he had a brother or sister he'd be more flighty or at least have someone to conspire with.
pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 8:02 PM
I know! because he has to endure it alone (yeah, the person that he thought like his brother, Sangmo, also turned his back from him), he's just sad, sad, sad, sad (like Rebecca Black song)
janna
March 26, 2011 at 3:44 PM
He got a girl.... so that's...something.... (And by the way I'm still bitter over that.)
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janna
March 25, 2011 at 2:56 PM
It's.. it's supposed to be spring :(
We used to call it the Gangmo glare. (tm)
And you might have to fight Supah for Seungmo, but right now she totally can't share Son-ja with me. Girrrrrrrrrllllll *snaps fingers*
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supah
March 26, 2011 at 7:01 AM
Hey! I totally agreed to share him! (As long as I could keep Doc, and if he never re-appears then Rara's elusive 'cousin' -- when and if they decide to finally bring him in to the show).
Yeah, both Seong-mos are mine. Haha!
@ahjummabunny
I did feel he was fleshed out enough, he may not have had as much screentime but that was the nature of his character: clandestine, stealthy. Not always on screen but still 'there'. In the hearts and/or conscience of his fellow characters. That's our Seong-mo. I love him.
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jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 7:53 AM
Supah -
Loved when he couldn't clap to the beat, and LOVED WHEN HE DANCED! Made me think that dancing SM was closer to his real life personality, since he appeared to be the one to initiate it.
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supah
March 27, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Ohhh... Ironically, those were actually the scenes that made me cry a lot. They each kind of referenced back to something more painful, or like the dancing, he did it to lighten up their moods...
His real personality was everything that he was prior to the thing he witnessed in ep. 1: he was a true gentleman, one who was devoted to his family, their happiness was far above his. *gulps back tears*
jomo143
March 27, 2011 at 8:14 PM
I cried for about an hour after the final episode thinking about SM. I'm not gonna lie.
I'm still not over it. He deserved to be happy after all he went through.
9 DIANE
March 25, 2011 at 7:48 AM
Good morning everyone,
It is Friday! nice weather in Oklahoma city
thanks Javabeans for all recaps.
I had start scan thru 49 Days on EP 4.
and I had read your recap on EP 4 love it.
I guess this weekend I have to start watch
ep 1 thru ep 4. Wish everyone has a nice weekend.
Keep on praying for the people of Japan and also for the Middle East.
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Ashley Thomas
March 25, 2011 at 8:00 AM
Send some of that weather up here to Missouri!!!! I'm jealous!! :D
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QD
March 25, 2011 at 8:15 AM
Yes ... Japan, Myanmar and the middle east are still in my thoughts and not forgotten! PEACE!
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10 Viola
March 25, 2011 at 7:50 AM
Happy Friday everyone!! :)
http://www.allkpop.com/2011/03/sujus-choi-si-won-and-donghae-to-begin-filming-for-their-taiwanese-drama
And what a happy Friday it is! Because, they are making the live version of Skip Beat, one of my all time favorite manga. And to put the icing on the cake Siwon is playing Ren!! Tee Hee. It's like a present, just for me! :P
The only thing that could have made it better, was if a blond Jaejoong played Sho, but I like Donghae too, so no complaints!! Happy Dance time! It might be miserable and raining outside but it's sunshine and roses in Viola land. :)
Here my lovely lovely dramabeans family have some of my happy too! I have more than enough to share! *throws joy like confetti* Yay! :P
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Ashley Thomas
March 25, 2011 at 8:01 AM
*picks bits of joy out of hair* Woohoo! Thanks for sharing the happy, dear! ;)
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 5:02 PM
No Problem! :)
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Emily
March 25, 2011 at 8:13 AM
(brushes pieces off of shirt) Yay!! HUGS to you!
It's pretty exciting to see Siwon acting in a drama. Maybe I'm the only one, but I thought his part in Athena was kickass. Now a manga adaptation with him as the lead? Can't wait!
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 5:04 PM
*hugs back* :) Emily, I feel like holding hands and jumping up and down and squeeing in exitement! Want to? :P
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tildy
March 25, 2011 at 9:20 AM
One of my favorite mangas of all time as well, but I don't know. I always feel a bit iffy about live adaptations of manga, Nodame Cantabile and my beloved Tamra being exceptions. Nakamura-sensei uses a lot of incredible visual humor and fantastical elements, and I think part of the reason I enjoy Skip Beat is the medium. I love the plot, with the main love triangle, Kyoko's growth as actress and person, her relationship with Kanae, etc, but I don't know if I'd find the story nearly as compelling without Nakamura-sensei's drawings or humorous asides.
Case in point (or rather, case in highlight reel):
Turtle Kyoko! -
http://www.mangafox.com/manga/skip_beat/v02/c009/27.html
Kyoko's demonic, extendable arms -
http://www.mangafox.com/manga/skip_beat/v04/c019/26.html
Sho's jealous Deva King face -
http://www.mangafox.com/manga/skip_beat/v24/c144/1.html
I also know a lot of small details will be omitted out of necessity to improve pacing, and I just adore all the tiny details - they're what made me fall in love with the manga in the first place. But I'm counting on you guys to tell me how it is once it airs! If it sounds good, I might join the party.
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 5:02 PM
Oh Tildy I absolutely know what you mean! I have re-read the manga so many times, and each time I find something new to be surprised and delighted over in Skip Beat! :)
Another reason to feel iffy is that TW dramas generally have lower production values, and LOTS of exposition and they don't generally trust their audience or their actors..... ..I know all that but,.. er.....excuse me for a second, Tildy.
I need to exorcise the fangirlyness
*Kyaaa, Kyaaaaaa!! happy dance* :)
*composes self again*
Where was I? Here, ok.
You see Tildy, I have a fatal weakness, he is my cryptonite, achilles heel, and the miseltoe thorn that slew Baldor, all rolled into one. He is Siwon.
So, for him I am prepared to be as persistent and optimistic as Mokoto! Skip Beat hwaiting!! :)
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 5:44 PM
Kyoko* .....*facepalm*
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 8:09 PM
*laughs and laughs and laughs and laughs*
Viola, I am so thankful that I get to read your posts!!!
*laughs and laughs some more*
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 8:49 PM
Well, I am thankful that I got to play with you too! You rock! *hugs* :)
ar_arguably romantic
March 25, 2011 at 7:46 PM
you totally hit on why Nakamura's mangas are so great! Not even the anime managed to capture all those great asides!
you picked some of my favorite moments too!
I'm nervous abt this live adaptation because I'm sure it will involve dubbing or bad mandarin. I'm crossing my fingers for a japanese version!
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 10:23 AM
*spits joyous confetti out of mouth, after smiling*
Ha Ha! What a bright and happy day with Viola!
Do you know if they will be dubbed? They can speak Mandarin, right? I saw Dennis Oh in the Mainland Drama "Fall In Love" and thought, "Wow! His Korean wasn't that good, but he speaks excellent Mandarin!" Until I realized that it wasn't his voice... I don't even want to tell you how many episodes it took before I figured that out. :-)
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 5:07 PM
That is such a funny story! Please tell me how many episodes it took for you to figure out that it was dubbed? :)
But, I do hope they don't need to dub his voice. He is in Suju M, he should be able to speak some Mandarin, right? *crosses fingers*
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 7:19 PM
I believe it was Episode 26 (out of 30)... I'm a little slow. :-)
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annie
March 25, 2011 at 10:37 AM
This is exciting, but I'm dreading the dubbing. *crosses fingers that they won't dub*
Although to be honest, I don't care as long as I can watch Choi Si Won on screen for many hours. He was great in Athena, and criminally underused. I miss him.
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 10:41 AM
I agree, "criminally underused!!!!"
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Choi Si Won is excellent in Athena. I haven't seen enough of Athena to know what the drama is about but the few scenes I did see with Si Won ssi were surprisingly good. He's one idol star that's shooting up and I wish him lots of luck.
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 5:08 PM
I am hoping right along with you Laica! :)
Lahlita
March 25, 2011 at 12:20 PM
*picks confetti out of cleavage* God darn it, Vionnie! Do you know how hard it is to get stuff out of there? *shakes and tosses boobs around*
Anyway, I am glad that !SIWON is in another drama so that we can drool and ogle (droogle?). If only it were Korean so we could browbeat Girlfriday-unni into recapping it for us. Alas, we will just have to make to with watching hottie !SIWON get his hotness on.
I'm assuming you will watch the drama. Have you considered writing text-only recaps for us on the Open Thread (with JB's permission, of course)? I think it would be great fun, and we could have a little !SIWON party every week, or twice a week. Really, can you think of anything better than a !SIWON party? We could even tweet siwon407 and (ahem) invite him. ;-) Seriously, think about it. I have faith in your writing abilities.
Beaucoup d'amour,
Lahlite
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 1:06 PM
*Lahlitaaaa* *glomp* Loves you!missedyousomuch!!! :)
*wipes away tears of laughter* You are so so funny! I still can't believe you wrote that! :P
Why is it that every time I see !SIWON I expect to see a a tiny trade mark symbol TM to appear? Trade Mark of Viola....? Now there is an idea! :P
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Lahlita
March 25, 2011 at 1:45 PM
I hereby declare !SIWON to be the Trademark of Lahlita and Viola. Anyone who uses it has to pay us USD $1.00 (payable via PayPal to Javabeans and Girlfriday for our keeping).
Anyway, as you know, Vionnie, Siwon is keen on keeping up and improving his English. His reading comprehension is aces (he reads English-language business newspapers because he's so effing BOSS), but one can always improve, so if we tweet him enough, maybe he'll make your recaps scheduled reading! Or you can make a blog and start posting recaps of his Taiwanese drama, complete with pictures. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, really. I just really, really like !SIWON. Get to it, hunny bunny!
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 3:10 PM
Er.. I don't see how I am going to improve his English. My vocabulary is pretty limited when it comes to him... it consists of Siwon? Siiiwon?! Siwoon!!! Swoon! *thud* :P
Yes, my capacity for language devolves to the level of a Pokemon's around him. :P
Well, except for the times when in an excess of admiration, I spontaneously burst into Songs of Solomon, ( sad, but true. Brookeve and Leonardswench can attest to that)
"Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners.
Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me..." :P
MJP
March 25, 2011 at 7:26 PM
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!
Siwon's response to Viola: "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me". (Songs 2:10)
Viola
March 25, 2011 at 8:45 PM
My response then would be: "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy, cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame." :P
LOL MJP I am glad you get my Songs of Solomon madness, it just seems so apt for him, doesn't it? :)
MJP
March 25, 2011 at 10:45 PM
*tons of silent laughter as husband sleeps in same room*
I so totally get it! You have given me a vision of you and Siwon rewriting Song of Solomon with a modern vibe. *more silent laughter*
However would you rewrite your teeth are like sheep???? *silent laughter so much, the shaking hurts my neck*
I love your teeth now that you've used those Crest White-strips... Christ White-strips? (What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus!) *silent laughter, shaking so hard I can see the screen*
Ow! I've gotta stop laughing!!! Goodness, I sure hope you get the jokes and I don't offend. :-)
Lahlita
March 26, 2011 at 7:39 AM
Oh my God, MJP, I MUST start using *Christ White-strips* for my teeth! Ahahahahahahh!!!
Forget laughing silently, I just threw my head back and guffawed. The hubby just poked one eye out from the pillow and was all "Woman, I swear...." Ahahah. Poor Espen. If Viola and Siwon rewrite the Bible, I'd be so much better about reading it every day.
Viola
March 26, 2011 at 11:57 AM
OMO! MJP! That is like the most brilliant thing ever! I can not stop laughing! LOL! "Christ-White strips" rotfl! :) :)
Viola
March 26, 2011 at 2:57 PM
@MJP
I went back to the last OT and Omo! Your hubby made an appearance! He is awesome! You lucky lucky girl, that 62.1 comment... ;)
@MJPhubby
Thank you for your diligence in keeping her distracted and away from Siwon-ssi! :P
MJP
March 26, 2011 at 3:58 PM
to Viola regarding 10.6.1.1.7 Viola March 26th, 2011 at 2:57 pm
*blushes* Yeah, I am blessed to have him. So many times I acknowledge that he is precious/priceless. I am VERY thankful. I waited 35 years to meet him. Sometimes it felt like I would never meet someone like him, but I am sure glad I waited!
Okay enough husband gushing, I don't want to make people sick!
Viola
March 26, 2011 at 7:46 PM
I can't imagine anyone getting sick!! Instead, you would give people hope that it's indeed possible to have that king of love outside of dramas and in real life. You certainly made me believe! I am incredibly happy for you both. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you both.
:) *hugs*
lessaofpern
March 26, 2011 at 2:38 PM
Brushing it off my son-in-law's (Siwon's) shoulders. Viola, he was right behind you. I had called and told him that your favorite Managa character was REN, so when he was offered the role, he immediately snatched it up. See, how much he LOVES you. Siwon is going to have this hairstyle.http://www.mangafox.com/manga/skip_beat/v09/c052/2.html
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11 Emily
March 25, 2011 at 7:53 AM
Happy Friday everyone!!!
The k-drama landscape is starting to get super interesting!! I'm behind on Crime Squad and haven't started 49 Days yet... I know what's on my to-do list this weekend!!
A quick question to everyone: what is your favorite long saeguk? The only ones I've watched were 25 or so episodes in length, but I'd really like to watch one with more than 35 episodes.
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Ranie
March 25, 2011 at 8:01 AM
Jumong
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mskololia1
March 25, 2011 at 8:23 AM
Agreed.
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mrskimchee
March 25, 2011 at 9:55 PM
Jumong *hands down*
I've seen a few popular saeguk, such as YiSan, Queen Seon Duk...but nothing beats Jumong.
Best of the best! worth every seconds of the long 81 hours
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Ashley Thomas
March 25, 2011 at 8:06 AM
Queen Seon Deok! Love it! If I was a villainess, I would want to be Mishil from that drama hands-down. She evilly rocks my face off! :P
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angelpur
March 25, 2011 at 9:19 AM
Word. Mishi has to be the best ever female villian to ever grace my screen.
------
Def recommend Queen Seon Duk. The first two episodes are bit of a drag, but once you get past that you're fine. The acting is top-notch overall, and it really pulls you into the story.
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pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 12:00 AM
I just finish watching Giant, and now I want to see the actor playing Mishil in QSD and actor playing Jo Pilyeon in Giant are in one drama together. How awesome is that!
And how their evil laugh will sound like at the same time....
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supah
March 26, 2011 at 6:34 AM
Add another vote for Jo Pil-yeon as best TV Villain. He makes Mishil look like a giddy schoolgirl, haha!
I think Jo Pil-yeon was an institution, you actually learned stuff from him, I could write a thesis on this guy.
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pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 7:21 AM
Ignore the fact that he has mental disease, he seems never giving up on something, not even once, and doing all out for every thing he has in mind, put me in awe.
How come I haven't recognize this actor before Giant??
Emily
March 25, 2011 at 8:16 AM
What did you all think about Dong Yi? Or Yi San? Are they worth spending 60ish hours each to watch?
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mrskimchee
March 25, 2011 at 9:58 PM
better off watch Jumong and Dae Jang Geum..
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 9:30 AM
Jewel in the Palace
Jumong
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Linda165
March 25, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Right now I'm watching Yi San. When I can't bare the never ending palace intrigue I watch something else and then return. I think my love for LSJ is what keeps me coming back. Love his performance here :)
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pohonphee
March 25, 2011 at 9:47 PM
My favorite sageuk is Jewel in the palace at time before I like sageuk drama (I was kinda avoiding it actually if it's not proved really good, I wouldn't even try to watch it), but then came Sungkyunkwan Scandal, my sageuk crack. Since then, sageuk drama never be the same again for me.
Beside Jewel in the palace, I think Queen of SeonDok is loooong sageuk drama that worth watching.
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pipit
March 28, 2011 at 1:03 AM
Potatoe Boy/Song of the Prince
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12 Dante
March 25, 2011 at 7:55 AM
I love the song of the day! The Seedy Seeds! My new favorite band. I went to their web site and bought the new CD. Thank you for exposing me to some great new music, JB!
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13 come2noona
March 25, 2011 at 7:57 AM
Even though he is not my absolute favorite, I just have to say how much I like Kang Nam Gil. I first saw him in "Who are You." He played the dead dad. At first I thought he was just plain goofy looking and not much else. But since then I have seen him in a lot of other dramas and I have really started to appreciate his acting. The last drama I watched with Kang in it was "The Return of Iijimae". I really enjoyed his character and thought he did a fab job. The scene where he formally adopts the boy and dies was particularly touching.
Ahn Suk Hwan is another fav. He played Jan Di's dad in BOF. That is where I first saw him. Like Kang, I thought Hwan was just a goofy actor. However I have seen him in other dramas and I think he is great. His character in Runaway Plan B cracked me up for some reason... I think it was due to the crossed eyes.
So there you have it. Two actors who I think are pretty cool. They are not young or hot, but I think they rock!
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come2noona
March 25, 2011 at 8:01 AM
Argh. This was supposed to go under #7!
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 8:11 AM
Those two actors are the hardest working, along with Gab So and JanDi's mom.
They are in everything.
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danna
March 25, 2011 at 9:07 AM
I miss Ahn Suk Hwan...I haven't seen him in anything in a while...I think I last saw him in Personal Taste
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 10:05 AM
He's is Paradise Ranch. The guy's a chameleon.
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14 S
March 25, 2011 at 8:01 AM
Hello everyone. I'm new as a commenter, but I hope you don't mind me jumping right in and asking for your help.
Lately I've been wanting to expand my drama-horizons and start watching some historical dramas. The only problem is that I really don't know where to start.
Does anyone have any good sageuks to recommend?
I watch and love everything from silly rom-coms to action to melodramas, so I'm not too picky about the subgenre. I just want to start with something good, and from lurking the comments on the site I've discovered many great dramas. I only ask that it's not too long, preferably less than 30 episodes as my attention span tends to be short, dramawise (though if someone can convince me that a long drama is worth it, I am willing to give it a try).
Happy Friday everyone!
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Ashley Thomas
March 25, 2011 at 8:04 AM
My favorites are Painter of the Wind (which has 20 eps) and Queen Seon Deok (which has...a lot of eps, LOL) but if you want a younger one, Sungkyunkwan Scandal is also really fun! PoW and QSD are both dramas; SKKS is a dramatic comedy.
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Ace
March 25, 2011 at 8:10 AM
The Return of Iljimae (24 episodes)
The Story of Hyang Dan (2 ep)
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 8:32 AM
The Return of Iljimae (24 episodes)
The lead and supporting cast is like a "Who's Who" of Kdrama.
And it's on Dramafever now!!
In order to see all of the episodes, I had to watch this on 6 different sites with eng and french subs, and I still loved it.
The recaps here are wonderful accompaniement, too.
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hAil3Y
March 27, 2011 at 12:35 AM
I can't find Return of Iljimae with eng sub! :((
and i'm not in the us so dramafever doesn't work for me~
help..? :(
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MJP
March 27, 2011 at 1:32 PM
Can you access this link?
http://www.viki.com/channels/73-return-of-iljimae
MJP
March 27, 2011 at 1:38 PM
Never Mind... They are not available right now. Sorry! :-(
Viola
March 25, 2011 at 8:15 AM
Welcome to OT S!! You might check out Damo. It is very beautiful. :)
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Nikki
March 25, 2011 at 8:16 AM
Um..I get the impression that you want a watch a well-written and superbly acted sageuk. However, if you just want to check "watched a sageuk" off your list I recommend Iljimae. I watched the WHOLE thing for Lee Jun Ki (he's pretty...) Oh, and there's Park Shi Hoo who's adorable even while not doing much. Yep, the episodes flew by (20 eps).
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S (theknitter)
March 25, 2011 at 9:39 AM
Yeah, something well written and simply well made is exactly what I'm looking for. I haven't found anything that's grabbed my attention of what has currently been airing (though there are a couple of new ones that I'm yet to check out, 49 days is sounding pretty good...though I might just save that until all the episodes are out, have a feeling it might be that kind of a show, if people get my drift. Ok, back on topic.) so I figured it was a good time to try something new.
There seems to be a lot of fans of "Return of Iljimae", but from your comment is it fair to say it's more of a "oooh eyecandy" kind of deal than it being a good drama?
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come2noona
March 25, 2011 at 10:29 AM
There is "Iljimae" and "Return of Iljimae". They are completely different dramas and not a part one/part two thing. Check out the reviews here on Dramabeans. I started both but only finished "Return". HTH!
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S (theknitter)
March 25, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Oh wow, thanks for pointing that out! No wonder so many people were mentioning "Iljimae" in some form or another.
jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 11:11 AM
RofI is perfect.
I watched it, and then read, JB glowing reviews because I was so afraid of spoilers. Of course, the fact that I watched it in practically one sitting helped.
Here is a non-spoiler comment from JB about the supporting cast:
Ah, I freaking love all the characters in this drama and maybe that’s why the stories affected me on an emotional level. They’re all so wonderfully complex, and they weren’t painted as absolutes. For instance, you can’t classify the characters, as you so often can in other dramas, as “the jerk,” “the nice one,” “the comic relief,” and so forth.
The lead character was so quietly effective he really was there to let the history come alive around him. Not to say he wasn't noticeable, that isn't it. He just didn't hog the spotlight.
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S (theknitter)
March 25, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Oh, I love multifaceted characters. I can get really boring when the entire cast can be divided into one of three boxes; "good", "bad" and "plot-device", so that sounds like a great drama.
MJP
March 25, 2011 at 8:15 PM
Jomo,
Don't write such a good comment that your gonna make me want to watch a sageuk... Just don't do it!!!! Stop right there!!! Not another word!!!!
jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 7:04 AM
MJP-
Don't watch RoI for:
The most beautiful cinematography
Cutest, fattest baby on board
Adorable pre-teen "Artful Dodger" character
Funny and endearing friendships
Stranger than strange "bad?" guy. I mean really strange.
Ballet-like, always interesting fight scenes
Wonderful atypical love interests
Gorgeous heartbreaking love stories
Courageous, heroic yet unsung hero
JUNG IL WOO with beautiful long hair
JUNG IL WOO in drag
JUNG IL WOO in plum-tones
JUNG IL WOO in black
JUNG IL WOO in pain -aaaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhh
OK, I am going to re-watch.
Let me know if you start and we can watch "together" since the recaps are still accepting comments.
MJP
March 26, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Jomo,
*sigh* You went and did it... I don't know how you did it, but you did it... You have actually made me interested in a sageuk. How did you do it?????
I don't think I will get to it right away, however. Just from this OT I have the following kdramas/movie to watch.
Hana Yori Dango (courtesy of Laica & Viola)
What's Up Fox (courtesy of ck1Oz)
City Hall (courtesy of Samgetang & Viola)
The Man From Nowhere (courtesy of IzOcha & Ambie)
Return of Illjimae (courtesy of S the knitter & Jomo)
ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 8:19 AM
Not a saeguk vet I've only just started them. I like jejoongwon a bit ( didn't finish it but read some recaps and it seems to end well) I disliked it because I need more information to process it well. For instance why is a butcher lower than bums on the street. There were some conflicts that I thought could be wrapped up sooner and cleaner.
I am currently loving King Geunchogo. If you don't fall for it in the first 10 minutes I don't know what to say about you! Well other than nice things or nothing at all. Now Giant is really a saeguk but it is a period drama and I have to recommend it. I loved it. Good Luck drama-buddy!
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S (theknitter)
March 25, 2011 at 9:49 AM
The fear of not being able to understand the story because I lack the needed back story is really what's been keeping me from it so far. But now that I've watched a few (ok who am I kidding, a LOT) of korean dramas, I think I've picked up enough of the culture and language to, in the very least know where to look for information when there's something going over my head.
I've heard a lot about Giant, from what I remember it's been mixed reviews. Why do you like it? (Oh and I'll make sure I fall in love with King Geunchogo, lol.) Thank you so much for your recommendations!
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amg01
March 25, 2011 at 10:51 AM
If you want to be treated to the best "Historical" drama of the last 10 years!! Non other than "Joseon X-Files: Secret Investigation Record", with only 12 Episodes, this drama is by far the best of them all IMHO, the cinematography, the writing, and music is up to "Hollywood" standards, Episode 7 alone is worthy to have won an "Emmy". This drama has become my #1 K-Drama of all times, JXF For The Win!!!!!
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 11:22 AM
I'm sure you've read the synopsis for Giant that wasn't what grabbed me. I watched it to see Park Jin Hee. To see Park Jin Hee I had to watch 9 or 10 episodes of good enough story. There were strong child actors ( Nam Ji Hyun was underused) but their back story was the typical melo- stuff starving orphaned kids and all that comes with that circumstance. But when park jin hee came on the screen the story really opened up. I stayed with Giant because of the love stories and to see the siblings living happily together after fighting against each other.
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mskololia1
March 25, 2011 at 8:19 AM
Happy Friday OT peeps!
Here are some sageuks that I enjoyed within your range:
Conspiracy in the Court - 24 epis ?
Eight Days - 8 epis ?
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sams
March 25, 2011 at 9:28 AM
Conspiracy in the Court is 8 episodes. Probably the best sageuk out there, and THAT is saying quite a bit (probably more about my possible bias than about the drama itself)
Hong Gil Dong is a so-called fusion sageuk, which is to say, more of a blend with modern story-board-ing / language / editing, with a very old story / fairytale.
Which do I like better? Well.
Conspiracy in the Court is the best sageuk. It really is wonderful. But I like Hong Gil Dong better, just because I do.
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mskololia1
March 25, 2011 at 12:36 PM
CitC felt longer because they packed so much in.... :)
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 10:39 AM
S,
Welcome! What a great question to start out with. I noticed that there were some really good suggestions on OT #11 and corresponding answers.
I haven't acquired a liking for sageuks (yet.) But a suggestion you may wish to try, for dealing with attention span issues (such as I myself have) is to skip the boring parts.
Again, Welcome! I look forward to seeing your posts!!!
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S (theknitter)
March 25, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Yeah, I must admit I do sometimes resort to skipping certain parts, but generally that's when I know I should be watching something else. Besides I love to knit or do other crafts while I watch, so it's a little tedious to constantly be interrupted by having to skip the boring parts, lol. I haven't actually even started a show with more than 20-something episodes. It just looks so daunting when you have to scroll multiple times to view the entire episode list.
Thank you so much for the warm welcome!
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 1:37 PM
I must have a real short attention span then... I find I skip most parts with actors over the age of 55 yrs. I skip most parts with evil second leads. I just don't want to know what they are up to because they never win in the end. I skip any sub stories, because they don't contain the leads of the show. I also skip the visual "thinking/angst" scenes because to me they are just a waste of time. See, short attention span. :-)
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S (theknitter)
March 25, 2011 at 3:43 PM
Ok, now that you mention it...haha.
I tend to skip excessive flashbacks, and if the "evil second lead" is annoying me I might skip that. And if the subplot is boring me to tears while the main story still intrigues me I'll keep watching but skip the boring bits.
But most of the time I'll just watch something else. "Life's too short for bad dramas" (not really sure who I'm quoting, but I know I heard it somewhere).
jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 6:15 PM
"I find I skip most parts with actors over the age of 55 yrs"
I'm doing that with Twinkle Twinkle with an amendment, when it is only "actors over the age of 55 yrs."
MJP
March 25, 2011 at 7:36 PM
Ah! *sighs with satisfaction* I am not alone in my drama hops and skips. Since spring is in the air, I think we should call this condition "DRAMABUNNIES" or "DRAMABUNNY-ITIS" or "DRAMA-BUN-TIS". What do you think?
mrskimchee
March 25, 2011 at 10:06 PM
for shorter saeguk with great storyline and eye catching casts..
these the older dramas that I've seen more than once
Hwang Jiny
Ha Ji Won, Jang Geun Suk and Kim Jae Won :)
Iljimae with Lee Jun Ki and Park Shi Hoo
Legend of Hyang Dan
SIWON!!!!!!
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ar_arguably romantic
March 25, 2011 at 7:54 PM
I love Legend - though it's more of a historical fantasy since it has magical elements. It also has action and romance! Great music. High production value. Lots of moments where I am just in awe. I love Yoo Seung Ho and Shin Eun Kyung as the younger versions of the main characters. And I think the role of Sujini is the only likable role Lee Jia has ever played.
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pohonphee
March 25, 2011 at 10:20 PM
Like I mention above I like Jewel in the palace, and Sungkyunkwan Scandal. But I can recommend you Queen of Seondok, Chuno (its cinematography is epic), Pinter of the wind (Moon Geun-young is awesome in this, & this has the most beautiful scenes in k drama land, some of them were put in painting!, I would never miss) and yes Joseon X-files (I like how creative they are when trying to translate the modern life to life in Joseon era)
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Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 10:24 AM
oh if we count SKKS yeah I have watched one lol
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Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Hi there!
I don't watch sageuks really so cant help you.... and I think the only truly close something like that I have watched is the clown and the king (Jun ki is too pretty in this!)....
welcome!
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15 maez
March 25, 2011 at 8:04 AM
Spring Break over :'( head back to school sunday and classes monday. WHY?!!?
Happy weekend. :)
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 8:21 PM
Happy weekend to you too Maez. Are you going to watch some kdramas before you go back?
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maez
March 26, 2011 at 6:51 PM
Haven't heard of any that catch my interest. Watching 49 days but that's about it. Trying to find some oldies I can watch.
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MJP
March 26, 2011 at 7:30 PM
Lots of titles are floating around the OT, as usual. But life does go out without dramas... Right? *looks confused* A-at least I think it does??? :-)
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16 Lisah
March 25, 2011 at 8:10 AM
Happy Friday everyone!
I have a visit with my sister planned next week and I'm hoping to get her hooked on kdrama. I have some personal faves but I wanted to see what you guys think. What was your first? Or what turned you from casual watcher to raving addict?
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 9:14 AM
hmmm when did I become a raving addict! I think it was soulmate or my girl, or lawyers or who knows. I probably was hooked from my first one loving you a thousand times. sorry I hijacked your thread with my announcement. I've recently converted my two sisters I hope you manage to bring your sister in to the fold as well!
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Lisah
March 25, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Haha, my first thought WAS ahjummabunny stole my thunder :( but we both posted at roughly the same time and I'm still getting the responses I was looking for. I loved Soulmate and My Girl too.
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Mischievious Kiss with Kim Hyun Joong and Jung So Min
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 11:30 AM
First? BOF
Raving lunatic? Coffee Prince and finding Dramabeans.
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Lisah
March 25, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Jomo, finding dramabeans was key to my full on drama fever too. I was a little frustrated w some of the cultural stuff I wasn't following in Cinderella's Sister and the recaps TOTALLY filled in the holes. Now (thanks to javabeans) I'm even wary of some translations. For example oppa should just be oppa because it rarely literally means brother and is frequently translated as just the character's name (SO not the same!)
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 1:54 PM
I don't think I even noticed the Oppa's, but for some reason, I did hear the noona's and uni's.
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Eleven11
March 25, 2011 at 4:37 PM
I blame dramabeans for my raving lunacy.. before this site I only had watched a couple because they were drama adaptations of a manga I liked (yeah, I guess I was already showing signs of compulsive behaviour with my manga addiction).
Dramabeans and the excellent discussion and commentary therein provided me the tools to become a fully-fledged paranoid obsessive crazy person (otherwise known as a K-Drama Fan).
If I had to pinpoint a drama? Probably YB - it wasn't the first one I'd watched, but it was the one that had me camping out by the computer for new eps/recaps, laughing hysterically in my dorm room and creeping out everyone in the rooms around me.
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 5:12 PM
I was working in the computer lab when I watched the pig chase scene in YB. I was trying so hard not to laugh, but not really succeeding and instead making these weird choking/gurgling sound..yeah, there were lots of concerned inquiries about my health that day. :P
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pohonphee
March 25, 2011 at 9:58 PM
My 1st is Autumn in My Heart, and what turn me to become rabid k drama addict DRAMABEANS.
Honestly, I have to watch K drama everyday, even it is just merely 30 minutes before I fall asleep, or my mood will be emm not as good as if I get my daily dose of K drama, yeah it's called addiction for reasons.
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samgetang
March 26, 2011 at 5:32 AM
My first - My Tutor Friend
Start of my crazy addiction - Coffee Prince and Goong (marathoning kdramas with my mom/sistahs and with panda eyes as bonus!)
Then the raving lunacy - YAB/SKKS and discovering Dramabeans!!! yey!
When to stop? Have to stop. Can't stop. Cannot. Not.
:-(
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Lisah
March 27, 2011 at 4:14 AM
Is it written that we have to stop, ever? And while I have yet to convert anyone to drama addiction I have totally sported panda eyes
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samgetang
March 27, 2011 at 5:37 AM
haha! you are right, lisah! but my health, my beauty, my fats....i think they are partly, or mainly, due to this addiction/obsession...HELPPPPPP! why is it that as your heart expands with joy your abs, biceps, thighs,eyes also expand with fats? why oh why? :-)
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chiomy
April 4, 2011 at 7:32 AM
I started about 4 months ago with Goong, loved it then discovered Coffee Prince. I don't think I slept for a week.... since then I have steadily gone through a full page of K-dramas that is a full page long and all because I stumbled on Dramabeans while looking for cofee prince/goong reviews.....I think I have permanent raccon eyes now.... :( still loving them though and next on my list is RoI as I have heard too much about it from DB... been avoiding it because I get the feeling that it will make me cry buckets (I am an extremely sentimental tv viewer.... :(
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17 ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 8:11 AM
EVERYONE!!!
I have converted another person to K-dramas!!! I started her with My Name is Kim Sam- Soon ( which she watched for 16 hours straight) and then introduced her to Cha Seong Won a la City Hall. And my new devotee is currently laughing and crying herself through it as we speak. Now I've been watching dramas for about 1 year and a half and I've seen many and I can't seem to decide what to suggest to her next. I'm trying to decide if I should go with the ones that are only okay but I enjoyed before I knew better or only those that I can say are great through out.
I know why Korean dramas attract me I love Victorian fiction, I was raised religiously my country/hometown is stuck in a Victorian time warp because she was the queen during our colonization and Guyanese people are strange.
Why did you guys become attracted to K-drama?
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j
March 25, 2011 at 8:18 AM
Hi5 :D but You got nothin on me :P
This weekend i brought my friends over and we were watchin the grudge. Got bored so i made them sit through TEN minutes of you're beautiful and they were HOOKED. these are six people who wouldnt even watch 10 minutes of naruto and there they were ROFLing over go mi nam. I logged into FB later that night i had six different messages in my inbox begging me to give them more.
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 8:36 AM
Jeeze I'm a sloth! I've only managed to convert 3 of my siblings and 1 friend and the two children I babysit ( They watched gourmet, definitely neighbours and are currently watching King Geunchogo with me.) You're beautiful lost me after episode 4. I was going to start my sister on My girl because that one is hilarious but I wanted to watch city hall again and it doesn't make sense to watch city hall if you don't see samsoon first. In fact it was samsoon that made me want to watch city hall. I'm really glad I finally watched samsoon.
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So3
March 25, 2011 at 8:20 AM
MNIKSS and CH!! What are you doing to her?!?!! That would surely get her addicted to k-drama!!
(really good pick of those two, yay!)
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 8:25 AM
Because...I'm hopeless romantic? hehe...and kdramas are that, and more! Romantic not only between two people but also between person-country, person-family, person-values, person-ideology, person-vision... ;-) and oh-so-funny and oh-so-pretty, too! Yey! All Victorian sensibilities, yes!
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Nikki
March 25, 2011 at 8:37 AM
My first KDRAMA was Boys Before Flowers last July. That show is like every soap opera cliche rolled into one. The lack of shame was exciting and addictive. There was a pretty boyband (minus the band), a sociopathic evil mommy, a sociapthic evil bestfriend, MAKEOVERS, multiple near-drownings, gangs, kidnappings, stalkers, a magazine photoshoot, a coma, an assasination attempt and resulting amnesia, a trip to island paradise, a love quartet, the boys in various sports gear, and a ridiculous OST. Yep, I'm glad BBF was my first KDRAMA because I learned the ropes and loved it before I knew any better.
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 8:46 AM
My first was Loving you a thousand times ( with Lee soo kyung and Jung gyu won) I was just flipping through channels and I saw a bit of dialogue and I thought hmm this sounds like a cinderella story. Jyang! I loved the story and I had to see more of Lee soo Kyung's work and what a treat that she was a comedic actress. And through her I found the actor ryu soo young and bad couple and soulmates and attic cat and kim rae won and on and on . . .
I'm glad my first k-drama wasn't ridiculousness like mary!!!
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come2noona
March 25, 2011 at 10:35 AM
I hear ya! BOF was my first mainstream drama and I have been an addict ever since! My "real" first was The Iron Empress. Exciting and interesting but not exactly addicting.
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 8:45 AM
Why did you guys become attracted to K-drama?
What struck me about Kdramas was that they were unabashedly trying to get me to feel something. Unlike US TV where everyone is always being ever so cool.
I love the respect for the elders and parents. Love learning about the beautiful historic traditions of proud and tiny* Korea, and how much they want to share their culture with the world. (*compared to China)
Also, the one season, many episode story arcs give you time to hate a character, feel sorry for a character, like a character, fall for a character and then become willing to offer one of your kidneys to a character if only it would make them happy again!!
The pretty struck me later, but then, it hit hard and held fast. Mostly this site's fault with their beautiful screencaps.
One example of this effect is what experts call The Hand Towel syndrome.
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Nikki
March 25, 2011 at 8:53 AM
Ditto! Also, I love how love is much more pure in Kdrama. The OTP doesn't bed-hop with the whole cast before ending up together.
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 9:03 AM
ding! ding! this gives the writers more to do so we get better stories. however I've been thinking that they use eating together as a metaphor for sex. this is based on how often they use the word to eat or describe how they eat as an insult or to describe someone's behavior and things of the like. I might be wrong because I'm not fluent and the subtitles don't even mention the word eat (which is one thing I hate about subtitles please say exactly what they're saying and let us figure out the metaphor!!! but thank you for subbing)
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 8:57 AM
"...and then become willing to offer one of your kidneys to a character if only it would make them happy again!!"
LOL! hahahaha! Jomo, you had me at kidney, hehe...
Speaking of the latest from our beloved Hand Towel...looks like KTH is now his ideal woman, watch this pls:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7deZKeEikg
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 9:06 AM
As much as I love them together, they totally set that up so he would pick her, instead of ME ME ME ME ME ME.
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 9:17 AM
Actually, he sounded like he liked Yoona more than anyone else but he was set up (you're right!) to pick KTH in the end...how can he like Yoona more than....you? hahahaha! She's just young, sexy, great dancer....I thought he said the girl's appearance did not matter? hehehe...
MJP
March 25, 2011 at 10:59 AM
I fell in love with kdramas because they are focused on acting more than sex/violence/drugs/profanity. America has lost the essence of the art of acting.
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Linda165
March 25, 2011 at 9:24 AM
I found my first Kdrama (The Woman who still wants to Marry) on Hulu. I watched 5 straight episodes that night, and then did some research on Kim Bum. Found Boys over Flowers and watch it complete in one weekend!!! My convertion to Kdramas was under way! Then went back and finished TWWSWTM. My third one was My Name is Kim Sam Soon and Hyun Bin sealed the deal, I was lost forever. That was 8 months ago and now I have a good 40+ dramas under my belt :)
I still don't know why they're sooo addictive, but I'm not ashamed to say that this addiction/obsession is awesome! Keep them coming!!
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 9:43 AM
I am proud to say I never eye-candy watched! I didn't find kim bum that attractive I thought he was tricksy but he gave a solid performance in this drama the woman . . . He really complimented Park Jin Hee.
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MJP
March 26, 2011 at 7:35 PM
I want CANDY!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMICD3aMZpw
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MJP
March 26, 2011 at 7:54 PM
ahjummabunny,
I am now trapped in an 80's time-warp on youtube as I strive to catch up on the OT. I'm havin' a blast from the past! Thanks!!! ;-)
Lisah
March 25, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Linda, we are leading parallel lives! I discovered Personal Taste on Hulu, I was totally charmed by Sohn Ye Jin and Lee Min Ho and the wonderful combination of insanity and chastity that is kdrama. From blabbing about it on my face book I caught the attention of my cousin's Korean girlfriend (who was barely an acquaintance as I had only met her once) & she directed me to to Full House and Boys Over Flowers (and I too developed a Kim Bum crush)I'm about 7 months into my chronic kdrama affliction, also completed about 40 series and countless more abandoned.
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Linda165
March 25, 2011 at 2:40 PM
Wow lots of coincidences :) We're like Kdrama twins :)
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Eleven11
March 25, 2011 at 4:55 PM
Heh, I just introduced my friend to MNIKSS and YB, plus this site. It's funny, at the start of YB, I was drooling over Hwang Tae-Kyung/JGS, but she couldn't see it. I kept on insisting about how hot and awesome he was, but she wouldn't budge (she was a ShinWoo shipper, pfft). Then - I think it was ep 7 - all of a sudden she got it, and she wouldn't stop going on about him. Sample quote: "..I know this scene is really moving and stuff, but all I can think about is how hot he is."
It's the magic hotness of Hwang Tae-Kyung - once you see it, it cannot be unseen!
It's weird though, because I've kept my obsession hidden for like 3 years now out of embarrassment, and all of a sudden she's going on about kdramas to all our friends. Thats a bit of an adjustment to make.
Yeah, and I think someone's said it, but I think the appeal of kdramas is that they can make ANYTHING romantic. Even puking on someone, or toilet humour, or public humiliation. Its crazy, and that's why its awesome.
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pohonphee
March 25, 2011 at 11:29 PM
The eye candy?? :P
The eye candy, oh I have written that... :D
The Hanbok? I love hanbok!
The evil mother pre-post in law, bad in-debt dad, a genius cold hearted cheabol 1st lead male, oppa-pout-wiggle of 1st lead female, the piggyback riding, the cry-while-eat scene, the fever after caught in rain (any thing that consist of water) scene, the touch-not-touch scene, the noble idiocy (I can't marry you cause your parent has killed my parent a.k.a parents are important people in someone life), the secret birth (I can't marry you cause you're my sibling, either still can't marry you cause my sick mom think you're my sibling so (WISFC)) the banmal-jondae banter, OK just how smart they are to make overuse cliche still interesting to watch.
It has AN END (I hate extension, second season, sequel whatever it may be called, it doesn't work for me. If I have to go through bad, tad boring new dramaSSSS, before I find my next crack drama, I don't care cause I know it's worth)
Finally, the language. The storyline may be boring and the characters are irritating, still I can sit through all the drama episodes just because the actors speak Korean.
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jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 7:12 AM
So true about the rain!
All these evil scientists all over the world have been trying to come up with a fool-proof bio-warfare weapon. If they could get into a Kdrama episode, and bottle some of that disease-ridden rain, they could take some time off and, um, watch more dramas!
LOVE what you wrote about Korean language. Why is it so easy to listen to? It almost sounds French to me, at times.
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pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 9:21 AM
I'm not familiar with French the only words I know from French are bonjour, bon voyage and l'etat c'est moi (ha, ha that's from my history class back my old school day). Jomo, I remember you wrote some Korean words romanization at the last OT, you know my 1st guess, I thought you really wrote French words.
Korean tends to have rhyme in their sentence (the gu, gu rhyme, the rang, rang rhyme you know what I mean :) ). When the dramatic scenes appear, there they come. Not just in song or poet, even in their daily language, the rhyme is every where to hear. I love rhyme, I love Hangugo
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pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 6:52 PM
Oh I think I made mistake it should type poem instead of poet, what a silly mistake *blush* where the edit button when I need it.
18 j
March 25, 2011 at 8:14 AM
Has anyone watched heavens postman with HHJ and KJJ? What did you think
i was thinking of watching it
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Linda165
March 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM
I've been meaning to watch it, but I'm afraid it will have a sad ending and I don't have the heart to watch sad endings this days :(
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luci8le
March 25, 2011 at 10:06 AM
actually it has a happy ending :)
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Linda165
March 25, 2011 at 10:37 AM
OMO! Thank-you!!! I might watch it this weekend :)
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pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 12:12 AM
After that don't tell me how Jaejoong looks like in that drama and ask me how he's got the 1st lead male role again after that when there're Yoo Ah-in, Song Joong-ki, Kim Jae-wook, Bae So-bin still have not gotten their 1st lead role? Knowing that makes me feel bitter.
Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 10:49 AM
Well thats easy to tell you how he got it first. at the time he was still with SM and it was a Korean/Japanese collab .. he speaks Japanese and is very popular there...
out of that names you put down I can only see one other person playing that character, KJW... and well both of the are soooo damn pretty...
I love them
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19 samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 8:15 AM
Fridays are fun because of...open thread! Yey! :-)
Just finished City Hall few days ago...and yes you are all correct. It's The Kiss to end all kdrama kisses ;-) woot! woot!
The OST -- It's pure awesomeness! :-) Love it.
The characters: Shin Mi Rae is inspiring -- ordinary lady achieving extraordinary things. Jo Guk is exciting -- driven by ambition; transformed by love.
Kim Sun Ah and Cha Seung Won? Sizzling. Perfect. The best!
The plot: How one woman's integrity, authenticity and sacrifice can be the driving force for one man to overcome his own twisted view of life because of his sad past. And in so doing impact one city to believe in itself. Powerful!
I know, I know....Ive been raving about CH ever since I started the first episode...I'm starting to bore myself already, hehe. But can't thank you all enough for encouraging me to watch it...viola, jomo, ockoala, sere, amg1, jandoe, hapacalgirl, linda165, elleloveskdrama ...all of you! I'm glad I also discovered samsooki's amazingly wise and insightful recaps of CH here in DB (thanks to Amg1!).
For me, this kdrama is even way better than CP or MP or YAB. I was not bored even for one bit...the flow is just so fluid and effortless, even all the supporting cast are as engaging and as effective. It's hilarious, romantic but at the same time has depth and character. It reminded me of SKKS (just like SKKS, CH's OST is superlative!) but better because the resolution to the conflict was well-addressed.
No wonder dramacrazy(dot)net listed CH in its select list of dramas to watch...I'm doing the dance of joy because of discovering CH! :-)
More of same, if not better, in the future :-)
Kamsahamnida, all you OT people!
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QD
March 25, 2011 at 8:21 AM
Ok! You have finally convinced me... I've been searching for a good Kdrama, one that is not still airing! City Hall it is! Thanks all & Samgetang for the review! Let's hope this doesnt make me all without sleep this weekend! I dont need another marathon as I have been super tired these days.... Happy Days Beanies!
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 8:38 AM
City Haller! Anyong!!!!
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 8:40 AM
Good for you, QD! ;-)
Funny but CH is the kind of kdrama that you can watch in installments and yet not get derailed or become distraught because you were not able to watch the whole thing in one sitting. I think it's because the characters and story kinda grow on you and you in fact wanted to have the time away from it to think about the thoughts that it fired up in your heart and brain before you go back to where you left off. It's like reading a great book where you sometimes glide, at times crawl, also other times you hop and skip to your heart's delight.
Hmmm...I think I'll watch it all over again this weekend...while curled up on my sofa with a hot drink or some cold pinacolada (depends on the weather)! Yey!
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QD
March 25, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Its been hot here today so ....Cheers to you!!! The 1st episode is looking good.... I think I will have lots to say about CH come friday next....
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 2:58 PM
QD, cant wait for your raves ;-) pali! pali! (hurry! hurry!)
ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 8:50 AM
another drama that I loved and really wish I hadn't gobbled up is the woman who still wants to marry. I love that one so dearly, the sound track is amazing the acting and the story is great. It's light but it gets you too.
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 9:00 AM
Hmmm...thanks, ahjummabunny, will watch that. You got me intrigued....
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So3
March 25, 2011 at 8:22 AM
Welcome, fellow CH lover ;)
Spread the words!!
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 9:25 AM
Amen!
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 8:28 AM
Flying through without wanting to stop.
City Hall was the first drama where there was absolutely no perfect pausing spot. I hardly stopped to eat!
The only problem is that it ended.
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 8:39 AM
Why did it end! Why!!!!!
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QD
March 25, 2011 at 12:19 PM
lol@ahjummabunny
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 11:33 AM
hahaha! jomo!!!! good thing it ended. otherwise we would all be thin and gaunt even before we had the chance to decide to lose the extra flabs ;-)
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 2:01 PM
If it didn't end I'd be fired from my job because I'd either be sleeping at my desk from incessant watching or watching at work ( which I do anyway) but imagine 5 16 episode seasons of city hall. Don't think about how extensions almost always fail, just think of the pleasure of seeing them both dancing at the inaguration of Jo Guk!!!!! Their little children, Ran as a teenager/young adult! Ran's marriage love story etc.
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 3:04 PM
oh, ahjummabunny! li'l jo guks and mi raes, hehehe! then there'd be first daughter or first son spin-offs when he becomes Prez and she, first lady. ;-)
or maybe a back to the future spin-off...apparently their grandparents go back to joseon period and they were from warring clans, etc etc :-)
Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 10:53 AM
that's why I dont want to watch it!! its sooo difficult to realize that a drama is ending.... especially when it amazing.. but I guess I'll go bite the bullet and watch it too...:: big Sigh:: damn kdrama drought.
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ahjummabunny
March 26, 2011 at 4:02 PM
what nonsense! hurry up and watch city hall!
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samgetang
March 27, 2011 at 11:16 AM
yes, ambie! you wont regret it. promise ;-)
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 8:53 AM
So, Sametang what did you think of The Kiss? :p
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 9:08 AM
Viola! Oh My! The Kiss! Indescribable, really. I dont know if I have the words for it. Kim Sun Ah, for some reason, was not all over Cha Seung Won at all but there is amazing electricity there. You get the very distinct feeling that SMR wants it as much as JG without being over the top. I think it's all about the timing...all the things that happened led to this one kiss. It's natural not forced. Not desperate, too. I dont know if that's how it came across to you as well ;-) For someone who does not have the words, Im awfully saying too much, hahahahaha! I completely agree. It is The Kiss!
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 8:26 PM
Okay Ladies!!! Please tell me what episode "The Kiss" is in. I would like to see it. ;-)
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 10:48 PM
hahahaha! MJP, no cheating! I think you have to watch from d beginning to fully appreciate The Kiss....
whaddya say, viola? :-)
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Viola
March 26, 2011 at 11:42 AM
I agree with you, Samgetang. :)
Linda165
March 25, 2011 at 9:01 AM
You're very welcome! I'm glad you liked it :)
I still listen to the OST, I love it so much. CH also gave us one of the best lines in Kdrama history:
CSW to KSA: "Don't lose to me"
*faints*
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 9:23 AM
Loved it! Thanks, linda! Oh yes, that line - awesome!
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sams
March 25, 2011 at 9:43 AM
City Hall was really really special to me.
I totally enjoyed watching it, I enjoyed thinking about it, I loved day-dreaming about it, and this is a little odd, but I even enjoyed reading the recaps on it.
I think a part of me cares about City Hall so much because that's sort of what I wish for what would happen in reality - that the politicians who vie for power and fame and money, that they would stop being so damn greedy for power, fame and money, and start helping the people that they swore to protect.
The central idea (at least for JG) is this, that we need to learn that you don't have to step on people's backs to move up in the world - you can also do it by protecting people.
And then, there's the other part of me that cares about City Hall, the love story, because that is what I wish for everyone of my friends and family, that people will learn that you find love so deep and so fierce that you will never, ever let it out of your heart, that your heart would have to beat its last before you would let love flow out of your heart.
This is MR's central theme, that she is strong enough as a person, as a woman, no matter who she faces up against, to protect and nurture the love she has for her city, for her friends, and for her man, and for herself. It is a story worth watching, over and over - that each of us is worthy of such love, and we can be stronger than any adversary, no matter their education, their conspiracies, their eggs / tomatoes, their money or their power.
The combination of Mirae's story and JoGook's story..... powerful combination that makes City Hall such a great drama to watch.
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annie
March 25, 2011 at 10:40 AM
What an eloquent description of everything that makes City Hall so special.
I agree with everything you said. After I finished, I couldn't watch anything else for a while because all other dramas were just so... bad in comparison.
I converted my mom to kdramas by showing her City Hall. :)
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 11:31 AM
@sams - beautifully said! i would have to say "yes' to everything you wrote. it is the same for me! :-)
@laica - im thinking of making my non-kdrama-watching friends be initiated through CH! yeah! ;-)
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So3
March 25, 2011 at 8:33 PM
well said, sams!
meanwhile I'm still too absorbed in CH to write a coherent piece on CH... there are too many things to talk about that I know i just won't be happy with myself on what i write about CH - which makes me really admire people who can write good pieces on CH!! (hats off to the Samsooki the Great who did a marvelous recap on CH - it's like a CH bible to me :P)
i cannot agree more how the political plot of CH has made it a very special drama. we got attracted to the love between MR and JK of course; yet without the development of MR as a politician who doesn't give a damn to the existing rules of the political game CH wouldn't be CH. even JK learnt from MR, IMO. They learnt from each other as politicians and this is one amazing part of the greatness of CH.
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samgetang
March 26, 2011 at 1:37 AM
"...yet without the development of MR as a politician who doesn’t give a damn to the existing rules of the political game CH wouldn’t be CH."
Agreeing wholeheartedly with you, So3! It's all about the character development...growth...becoming... :-) and going beyond yourself, overcoming, conquering...at a loss for words now, hehe ;-)
love, love, love CH! ;-)
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20 lb_tmi
March 25, 2011 at 8:59 AM
WOW!! it's been awhile since i've been here.. i just wanted to let everyone know that i've been so wonderfully preoccuppied by my BEAUTIFUL BABY EKIN who made an appearance to the world on March 5 after 24 hours of induction drugs that did not work. lol.
he is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL and i am enjoying every moment of my time with him.
PLUS!! i graduated last night with my Post-baccalaureate paralegal degree. i'm finally done with school and can spend more time with my baby boy until i land a job in my new field... kinda soon, but not really.. heehee.
drama-wise, now that i have time, i've got to finish crack high and MKIKSS, start 49 days, and re-visit 9 ends and 2 outs. i will have a busy week of dramas!!! so excited!
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jomo143
March 25, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Congrats on all counts and when do you find time to sleep?
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lb_tmi
March 25, 2011 at 9:21 AM
i don't sleep anymore. so i may as well watch some dramas while i'm up.
thanks!!!
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 9:07 AM
congratulations! Congratulations! Please enjoy your drama watching and your new baby!
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lb_tmi
March 25, 2011 at 9:50 AM
too bad i won't be enjoying too much today because my lil man is sick so he's crabby.. ah well, i still have midnite watches.. lol
thanks!!!
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annie
March 25, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Wow congratulations! And I hope you get some sleep soon! Also that your little baby feels better. :)
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come2noona
March 25, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Congrats!
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Congratulations!!! Many blessings to your newly expanded family.
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 11:47 AM
lb_Tmi! :) I am so happy to see you back! Congratulations on the baby! Remember, you promised pictures to the attic full of crazy aunties here! ;) Give Ekin a hug from me. He is the second OT baby! :)
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lb_tmi
March 25, 2011 at 10:53 PM
without further adieu, here is Baby Ekin!!!!!
http://s1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa400/lovebird_tmi/
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Viola
March 26, 2011 at 11:43 AM
OMG!! Such a cutie!! *huggles*
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janna
March 25, 2011 at 3:09 PM
congratulations!~ I wonder which Korean word will be his first... ;D
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ar_arguably romantic
March 25, 2011 at 7:58 PM
Congrats on both the baby and the degree!! You are one awesome woman!
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pohonphee
March 25, 2011 at 11:39 PM
Oh finally lb_tmi, congratulation for the baby and graduation! :) Life is beautiful, isn't it?
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21 meenuby
March 25, 2011 at 9:07 AM
Happy OT Friday everyone!!
Sooo glad it's finally the weekend. I just finished Once Upon a Time in Saengchori which was truly a hilarious gem of a drama. It has so much potential for a second season. I'm definitely on board the tvN bandwagon - I think their dramas are so refreshingly different from the usual fare we get from the three main stations.
I plan on watching tvN's Joseon X-Files soon and I can't wait for Manny to begin.
Also, is anyone following the Cricket World Cup here? I'm sooo excited for the Pakistan vs. India semifinal - it's even more hyped up than the final itself!
And also, very happy to see Lee Chun-hee and Jun Hye-jin tie the knot, even if it was a shotgun wedding. He seems to truly love her and I only have best wishes for them. They were so cute in Smile, You. ^_^
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mskololia1
March 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM
Second the emotion about OUATISC and the dramas on tvN.
I was not really interested in Manny, but since it's on this network, I plan on giving it a try once some epis are fully subbed.
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GrandmaFran
March 25, 2011 at 1:56 PM
i love LOVE once upon a time in saengchori. the last episode seriously made me tear up and i was not expecting that. kids can be so cruel. i am slightly confused about the ending. the characters that "died" really did die, right?
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janna
March 25, 2011 at 3:11 PM
How did you feel about Ji Mins facial hair in relation to hotness? A good or horrible idea? This is very important guys.
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mskololia
March 25, 2011 at 3:52 PM
...off the charts HAWT.
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janna
March 26, 2011 at 6:07 AM
Agree x1,000! It's so much better than the gravity defying hair look.
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supah
March 26, 2011 at 7:08 AM
Second comment #21.3.1!
You know, it felt weird yesterday, coming home to no new episode of OUATISC. :(
janna
March 26, 2011 at 5:35 PM
@supah: it took me like a good solid minute to remember all the words to the title.
I call just call it Saengchori. Acronyms are hard!
Sometimes when people write acronyms of shows it takes me longer to read their sentence because I trip up on the said acronym. The only worthwhile time was MiSA (and half the time people had to be explained that it was for "I'm sorry I love you") but it was faster to write, and you were in the "in crowd".
For example: WISFC = Would always take me a minute to realize it's Will it Snow for Christmas.
I wonder if anyone else has had these problems. I'm rambling but yes, I miss it too.
pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 8:36 PM
@Janna: You're not the only one, I need a couple more time to understand if people start using acronym, especially for actor name (KJW what? Kim/Kang? Joong/Jae/Jang? Wook/Wu/Won?) Have fun, fun, fun, fun guessing.
22 Linda165
March 25, 2011 at 9:12 AM
Hi everybody, I hope you're having a great Friday. I don't know if this has been discussed in the 49 Days recaps, but something has been bothering me: If Kang (Jo Hyun-jae) is going to end up with YI-KYUNG (Lee Yo-won), isn't he really falling (again) for JI-HYUN (Nam Gyuri) while she is using Yi-Kyung's body? I'm confuse.... Please I want to hear your thoughts...
Also, I haven't seen Ep 4 because I'm waiting for the subs, I just happened to peek through the recap (Damn you JB and GF for making them so awesome), but OMG a half naked Scheduler!!!! More Please!!!!
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janna
March 26, 2011 at 5:44 PM
From what I get, and this is just speculation: Kang will end up with Ji-Hyun. He's falling for her (again) and once all is said and done she'll wake up and slap her fiancee and run off with him.
Now everyone wants the reaper to end up with Ji-hyun, but that's just projecting. It doesn't make much sense story-wise. Yi-kyung.. well.. she has that stalker.. and possibly the reaper has history with her. Is it too bad to say she might end up alone or with the stalker?
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23 djeedjes
March 25, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Kim Nam Gil showed up on Jung Junho's wedding.
They must be so close, if KNG even asked permission to take a leave from military duty.
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ilukd
March 25, 2011 at 9:50 AM
i know ... i was like ..is he KNG or not ... think he gained weight .. as always he looks smexy
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24 supah
March 25, 2011 at 9:35 AM
OH MY GAAAAAAAAAAAAAWDD!
Choi Min-soo has joined upcoming sageuk Honourable Baek Dong-su! Likely as the title role. The other existing cast member is Nam Ji-hyun. I'm so excited. (Stamping feet, squeeing, then making triumphant fists in anticipation.)
I've been in love with the premise since I heard of it and the casting so far -- a masterstroke.
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 9:49 AM
That Nam Ji Hyun is a young woman I wish nothing but success! She is doing great work so far.
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supah
March 26, 2011 at 6:42 AM
Yes, yes, she's marvellous in all that I've seen her in.
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25 Jesus0saves
March 25, 2011 at 9:35 AM
499999 dayyyysss FTW!! :D:D:D
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26 bella luna ;)
March 25, 2011 at 9:39 AM
k-drama abstinence relapse. :(
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 9:50 AM
Have you seen Smile You? I'm watching it again now and it looks promising.
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bella luna ;)
March 25, 2011 at 9:56 AM
nope. it's interesting, but I'm trying to rebound to sanity. :(
apparently, my unnies won't let me...
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Eleven11
March 25, 2011 at 5:18 PM
oh man, that show was far from perfect, but Jung Kyung-ho and Lee Min-jung had some amazing scenes together - i think it was from about ep 10-20 when it got really good. The last quarter was mostly nutso, but when it was good, it was pretty damn good.
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27 ilukd
March 25, 2011 at 9:49 AM
its friday ... friday ... friday ... fun...fun...fun ... hahaha
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bella luna ;)
March 25, 2011 at 9:58 AM
*in autotune voice* fired eggs, fried eggs, fried eggs... i'm having fried eggs...
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 1:40 PM
I got stuck in an elevator with a girl who was singing it. :(
Karma is such a witch! This is what I get for torturing my family all week with this song.. :(
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janna
March 25, 2011 at 3:14 PM
you beat me to it. whatever
FUN FUN FUN FUN
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28 MJP
March 25, 2011 at 9:56 AM
Hello All! Today it is snowing outside our window, those light fluffy random flakes that come here in spring.
I have watched many k/j/c dramas this week. Note: I do not watch in it's entirety, I skim and skip to parts I wish to see. Hence the ability to view so many.
Attic Cat (Didn't Like the Ending)
Crazy For You (Surprised By the Ending)
Royal Family (Ooh, Kim In Sook is BAD!)
49 Days (Oh! I think I like this... *happy shock*)
Twinkle Twinkle/Shining (A bit too much talking this week, boring.)
Deka Wanko (Funny!)
Rent a Girlfriend Back Home for New Year (Either a bad translator or bad script. *She wonders, "Are they really talking like that?*)
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GrandmaFran
March 25, 2011 at 2:01 PM
i just finished ep 2 of twinkle twinkle and really like it so far. is crazy for you good overall? i started it last year bc of YKS but forgot about it somewhere around ep 10.
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 3:15 PM
I think Crazy For You was very good overall.
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Why did you dislike attic cat's ending? because she will try it with kim rae won, or because she gave up the other guy?
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 3:20 PM
I disliked the ending because it lacked the final "bang" for me, if that is the right way to put it. It seemed like almost an accident for them to meet again. I would have liked to see some "gusto" or "drive" on Lee Kyung Min's part to go after the woman he loves. It's almost like he gave up. Then when he saw her again, "Oh okay, here she is, let's try again."
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Lisah
March 25, 2011 at 4:21 PM
I also watched Attic Cat this week and while I enjoyed it, I wasn't satisfied with the end either. I think they made her in to a bit of a shrew at the end... she was carrying a torch for Kim Rae Won forever but refused to acknowledge him when he finally came around.
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jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 4:29 PM
I fell in love with Kim Rae Won in Attic Cat.
**** Sigh *****
So freaking adorable.
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Saima
March 25, 2011 at 6:08 PM
i just watched the first episode of Royal Family and I'm really captivated by it.....unfortunately i cant watch the dama thru viki as it's unavailable is my region....where're you watching the show?
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 7:40 PM
I am crazy! I watch it on Tudou RAW. I use the links that http://www.dramacrazy.net provide. Then I get the recaps at http://www.hancinema.net .
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29 kotatsulove
March 25, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Great music taste, javabeans! The Seedy Seeds are from my hometown. I've seen them a whole lot.
On a drama note, I've started watching this Japanese drama called Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi (The Fantastic Deer Man) from around 2007. It deals with the old Japanese belief that earthquakes were caused by a giant catfish that lived under Japan. An earthquake would happen when he shook his tail. I thought the premise was fitting given the recent earthquake.
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30 Thatgirl
March 25, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Did anyone see the WongFu Production spoof of a Kdrama "Forever Endles Valentine of my Winter Heart."?
What did you guys think of it?
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Neimat Ilyas
March 25, 2011 at 11:02 AM
OMG, when i saw it today morning i was think i should share it Dramabean's open thred.... i was just gonna post the link to it....its a bit exaggerated though :P
http://youtu.be/RlfchQIqUjI
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31 annie
March 25, 2011 at 10:34 AM
Hey everyone! I hope you are all well.
I haven't been on OT in a few weeks. I started a new treatment and it's rough as hell, but I'm also finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, so I'm hopeful despite the pain.
I got all nostalgic about Hana Yori Dango after the group raving we did about it on here a while back, and I'm kind of having a kdrama drought these days, so I thought I'd rewatch it. It was my first Asian drama (you could call it the gateway drug, lol) and I watched it streaming on mysoju, so it was nice to download it and watch it HQ. Lots of pretty.
Anyway, I forgot how ADDICTIVE it was. I mean, it has its flaws - Hanazawa Rui's crispy orange hair, the OTT-ness at times, the lame grated-apple story (the conflict between Rui and Tsukasa in the manga was way more believeable) - but it's like crack anyway. I marathoned it in 3 days and now I'm rereading the manga. It's just a very happy show. Makino + Domyouji are just magical.
Praying for those in Japan and the Middle East who are faced with hardship, privation, and bloodshed. May God protect them and provide a way out for them.
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Laica,
Hi! Sad to hear about all the pain. I sure hope you are able to get better with the new treatment.
I wanted to ask: What do you like best about Hana Yori Dango? I haven't watched it since Boys Over Flowers put me off the manga premise. Is it really worth watching? You seem to really, really like it.
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annie
March 25, 2011 at 3:53 PM
Thanks for the good wishes, guys <3
@MJP, I think it's a combination of the story and the chemistry between the lead actors. The girl who plays Makino especially is an amazing actress, she really plays Makino's strong weed power well. I love that the heroine is tough and doesn't take crap from anyone, but she's also not stupidly fearless. She realizes there will be serious consequences for taking on such a formidable enemy, but she does it anyway because that is being true to herself.
Combine that with the cute way their relationship develops, Domyouji's hilarious personality, the ridiculous yet absorbing plot twists, and all the eye candy (!) and you have an addicting ride. I'm excited you started it! Let me know what you think once you're done. :)
@Viola
OMG what a place to stop! The second season really tore my heart up. I was SO into it. I don't really remember being that involved with the characters in any drama I've watched recently, probably not since City Hall. Maybe I've just become jaded after watching 50+ dramas.
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annie
March 25, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Oops, I meant that as a reply to everyone! Sorry!
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 5:31 PM
@Lacia
I know what you mean, about not being involved with another dramas as much as the characters in HYD. After watching so many dramas, I feel a little jaded too sometimes. I guess it is hard to recapture the magic of the first few heady days of love. :P
Listen to me, I sound like an octogenarian reminiscing about the "good old days" when dramas were dramas! :P
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 12:48 PM
*hugs* Lacia. I hope you feel better. Oh HYD! you will always have a special place in my heart, after all, you always remember your first. :P
HYD was the first Asian Drama I have ever watched, and god I remember how addicting it was! I had dial-up internet at home then, and trying to watch videos on dial-up is a special kind of hell! But for HYD I tried, eve though I didn't succeed.
It was during summer vacation, and the computer lab in my college was my only access to high speed internet, but because of vacation hours it would close early. It was sheer torture trying to watch the next part of a cliffhanger before all the computers would get shut off.
In the second season, when Makino catches Tsukasa in bed with the second girl...and that's when I had to leave off!!! On a Friday! The lab was closed during the weekend. Oh GOD! Those two days about killed me! :P
So, Lacia I completely get how you feel! :) *hugs* and well wishes. Feel better.
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janna
March 25, 2011 at 3:21 PM
I hope the treatment works out for you, Hwaiting!~
I still have a Margaret phonebook with Hana Yori Dango in my place, my sister loved it. It went on for...ev....er. She even had the anime movie which is tragically bad.
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 3:27 PM
Okay Laica,
Just because of your's and Viola's recommendations. I watched the first episode of HYD. It pretty much kept my interest. Matsu-jun's fighting was hokey, though. But I have episode 2 cued up and ready to go. Matsu-jun's character is definitely meaner (more menacing) than the BOF Lee Min Ho's character.
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annie
March 25, 2011 at 3:55 PM
Awesome. :)
He's even meaner and darker in the manga.
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S (theknitter)
March 25, 2011 at 4:00 PM
Oh wow coincidence, that was my first drama too! I remember I was watching it over the summer with my sister and we had to ration out the episodes because it was so crazy insane that we could only watch one episode at a time. And the second season is equally as awesome as the first. Especially the scene when they (SPOILER!) meet in New York...and he turns around looking as hot as ever and time just freezes, and he looks at her, and she looks at him...and it is just perfect! I don't know why I love that scene so much (I suspect it has something to do with the OST, I'm a sucker for a good soundtrack) but it gets to me every time.
When we finally discovered there was a movie we watched it the following summer (we live on separate sides of the country so we only see each other for a few weeks in the summer) and it was surprisingly good as well. After that I watched Hana Kimi (love that show!) and somehow I ended up finding Korean dramas on my own. It's a strange world...
Sorry about the random ranting, your post just reminded me of a happy memory and I wanted to share. Hope you feel better soon, stay strong!
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 5:26 PM
Omo S(thekintter)! our drama addiction parallels each other! Hana Kimi and Hana Yori Dango was right next to each other in My Sojou, so I did ini mini miney moe and picked HYD. After I finished it, I watched Hana Kimi! :)
I haven't seen your handle in OT before, (it's a pretty unique and nifty handle by the way :)) so, let me welcome you to OT. Thank you so much for sharing your happy memory, it brought back my own. And never ever apologize, we are all about being random on OT *hugs* :)
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S (theknitter)
March 25, 2011 at 6:01 PM
Hi to you too Viola! Actually it's my first day posting in the OT...or on dramabeans in general really, so no wonder I'm new to you. I have to say people are exceptionally nice here, which is wonderful.
I'm glad there is a place for random ranting on the site, because really, part of the fun of a drama is all the random things that happen when you're watching them, and it's nice to share.
So glad to meet you all *hugs back*
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 9:11 PM
Well then we have to celebrate your delurkee status!! If you had wrote something like "this is my first post on OT.." there would have been a dozen people welcoming you! :P It is kind of like a family here. So, Welcome to the DB family! Yay! :)
pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 1:51 AM
Hugs S (theknitter)! Welcome to OT, I forget when the 1st time I stop being delurke, just suddenly "we are family"
Uri Viola told me to do so, nice girl isn't she?
samgetang
March 26, 2011 at 5:51 AM
welcome to OT, s(the knitter)!
im also fairly new here. you couldn't be in a far better place to feed and nurture yr kdrama addiction than here where the craziest, zaniest, coolest, and brightest (and should I say prettiest/handsomest, too?) come together to live, breath, drink, dream, speak kdrama.
feel at home! ;-)
Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 11:01 AM
HANA KIMI how do I love thee!! let me count the ways... Ikuta Toma! Oguri Shun! Ikuta Toma! Oguri Shun! Ikuta Toma! Oguri Shun!
Welcome!! lol
lessaofpern
March 26, 2011 at 2:11 PM
Hugs!!! Welcome to our Zany DB Family!!!!! I loved HYD and HK too. :D
annie
March 25, 2011 at 11:46 PM
That is a perfect moment. I actually am just watching the first episode of season two right now, so I just saw that scene! How fitting. And yes, it is a perfect moment. Also, OMG, MatsuJun is much hotter in the second season. (It's the hair - fluffy rather than nappy.) I'd forgotten.
Ooh I watched Hana Kimi back in the day too. I kind of hated the main actress, but it was a fun show. Nakatsu FTW!
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samgetang
March 26, 2011 at 5:42 AM
Loved Hana Yori Dango far more than its Taiwan counterpart (Meteor Garden) and Korean version (Boys Over Flowers)!
But I watched MT first before I got hooked in HYD. So I had to watch BOF when it came out...and finish it, even if the OST was killing me, argh!... just so I can fairly judge and compare, hehe.
Best version? HYD wins...hands down! I think it's the more believable and infinitely engaging acting of the main leads that really did it for me. Ieven watched the film version ;-)
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lessaofpern
March 26, 2011 at 2:19 PM
Laica <3 HUGS!!!!!! I'm so glad that your treatment is going well! You have been in my prayers :D LOL at the grated apple story :P Where he got that theory was a mystery :P
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32 ar_arguably romantic
March 25, 2011 at 10:38 AM
Just popping in to say "Hi!!! And have a great weekend!"
in 12 hours, I will be done with my paper, officially unconscious, and getting the sleep I've needed all week! Getting pumped!! Then I can have a Fringe / 49 Days marathon tomorrow afternoon when I wake up!
(Was barely awake in class today. I wonder if professors rather their students don't show up at all than to have them show up and struggle futilely against the need to sleep)
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annie
March 25, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Lol, I've wondered that too. I think it depends on the prof. Just sit in the back and hope they can't see you ;)
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33 wonbinlover
March 25, 2011 at 12:04 PM
I noticed there are a lot of bromances in kdramas nowadays. Who and in what series do you think depicted the best bromance? For me I gotta say it was in SangDoo goes to School. I thought the relationship between Rain and Lee Dong Gan was great. It evolved from being rivals to basically like bros. It was really fun to watch and the chemistry between those two were great. And since it was like one of their earlier series, the acting was really good. Recommend anyone to watch that series since it was so underrated and it was one of Rain's best acting.
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GrandmaFran
March 25, 2011 at 2:04 PM
agreed! rain was perfect in it and i absolutely loved the relationship between him and lee dong gun. it's just the ending that i didn't love. whyyyyy did the writers have to do that? :(
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 2:08 PM
BEST BROMANCE goes to Gloria's cast. I mean the four leads were great together but the guys one on one were excellent. I'm speaking of suh jiseok and Lee Chun Hee of course. Chun hee seems like a lovable guy in general.
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Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 11:03 AM
SKKS!!!
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34 tinpra
March 25, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Hey all! Happy Friday!
It's bright and beautiful today, but seriously cold! Ah Springtime in a temperate zone...so fickle. ;)
Is anyone else watching All That Glitters/Twinkle Twinkle/Sparkling? So far it's the most soap opera-ish kdrama I've watched (after Boys Over Flowers b/c, really, does anything top that?) but it's got me totally hooked in spite of it's semi-cheese. It's also the longest kdrama I've ever watched. 50 planned episodes. Meep! Luckily (or unluckily, I'm not sure yet) the subbing has been slow so I can definitely fit something else in here, but I don't know what I want to try. After the My Princess obsession, I'm not sure I'm ready to jump into another ongoing drama, much as I want to see 49 Days. What do you guys think, 9 Ends 2 Outs? I'm up for something light and mostly fluffy. Honestly, Twinkle Twinkle is at it's best when it's not too heavy. Although speaking of heavy, I may be in love with the second male lead, Kang Dong Ho.
This is also my first completely unrecapped kdrama and I really miss girlfriday's and javabeans' insight into the show and Korean culture. Things happen and I wonder, okay is this unique to the characters or is this a cultural thing? And even if it's unique to the char, am I missing something else that's culturally significant? But I guess that's the "danger" of watching stuff cross-culturally.
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GrandmaFran
March 25, 2011 at 2:16 PM
i also love kang dong ho. such an adorable dork. he really reminds me of someone tho, and i can't quite recall who. maybe a dorky version of suh ji suk? i would suggest you watch once upon a time in saengchori. it's just finished and 20 episodes long. there's some romance, mystery, suspense and a whole lot of comedy. i don't think i've laughed so much. the drama went by really fast and i even teared up in the last episode. i hope we get a second season!
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tinpra
March 26, 2011 at 7:31 AM
Thanks so much for the suggestion! I'm at a total loss waiting for more Twinkle subs.
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35 endodo4ever
March 25, 2011 at 12:19 PM
It's Friday! Happy Friday!
But ugh, Rebecca Black certainly has gotten a lot of haterade over the past week or so. Anyway, I love Ryan Higa's YT rant about it. It's HILARIOUS. Omg. I was laughing so hard, especially at the end. Has anyone else seen it? Hahaha. It's awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwdYZ3upT4c
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 1:47 PM
This wins!! I love the ending! :)
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ck1Oz
March 25, 2011 at 3:45 PM
Annyeong 'ck waving madly at you'
Studying huh? Rofl.
Remember your next week is reserved for Kim Jae Won but I think it's the kid actors in ep 1.I wonder how long they will have child actors play the story.
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endodo4ever
March 25, 2011 at 5:18 PM
Haha ck, I AM studying but that doesn't mean I don't have time to check out DB when I'm taking quick little breaks! :P
Yes yes yes, I'll reserve part of my weekend for Kim Jae Won's comeback, don't worry!
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Lost without KDrama
March 26, 2011 at 12:13 AM
Omo! That boy looks so fine he just makes me want to...yes, well...
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36 brookeeve
March 25, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Hey y'all!
Wanted to stop in and say howdy, I love y'all, and that I'll comment as soon as possible, but right now I have to go to Con! Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 1:07 PM
Enjoy Con unnie! Take some interesting pictures! :) *hugs*
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37 mellowyel
March 25, 2011 at 12:32 PM
happy friday all!
finally watched the Man From Nowhere this week - WON BIN OMG SO GOOD! also kim sae-ron was great. great movie. will have to see it again. also, Secretary Kim from SG as a gangster? pretty good, if weird, lol.
might marathon eps 1-4 of 49 Days this weekend - it's the kind of story i feel is better viewed in blocks than each episode at a time. So if i like it, it'll be 2 eps in a row at the weekend. if it's not a drama weekend, i'm gonna watch Cyrano Dating Agency (finally found subs!)
Also, thank you to whoever posted the "Finding Kim Jong Wook" link in last week's OT - it was so cute! not the best written movie, but gong yoo and im soo-jung were great in it
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 7:48 PM
mellowyel!
Hi! I have to confess, I posted the link to Findking Kim Jong Wook. You are most welcome. I like to share my candy!!!
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38 hapacalgirl
March 25, 2011 at 1:34 PM
Happy Friday Everyone!
Currently at work on my day off but I can't complain because tomorrow I leave for my very first trip to Europe for a month. Yay for lots of vacation time!
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Carinne
March 25, 2011 at 1:57 PM
Bon voyage hapacalgirl.
Spare no limits to your duty free shopping spree, or in all means try to.
Which parts of Europe are you visiting? Have you packed?
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hapacalgirl
March 25, 2011 at 3:49 PM
Thanks Carinne ! I am starting in spain and then I am going to france, germany, Switzerland, then italy before I fly back. I actually packed this past weekend because I knew I would be swamped with work till today.
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 2:02 PM
Have a wonderful Euro trip, hapalcalgirl! Enjoy the history, culture, arts and the sights ;-)
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39 Carinne
March 25, 2011 at 1:52 PM
TGIF Peeps!
Wow, I spared a nanosecond to look, OT# 180, already?
This week, my WiDi adapter arrived and I'm having fun w/ it. My niece is visiting me today so I have little time to myself.
Just stopping in to catch up and *waves hand* say "whassup?"
I've been pumping kinetic energy listening to this song this entire week, so sharing the enjoyment:
Foster The People ~ Pumped Up Kicks
http://www.mediafire.com/?bwp2ynm5ky1a2ta
Enjoy n' listen. Laters.
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40 amg01
March 25, 2011 at 2:23 PM
WARNING SPOILRES!!
*Twinkle Twinkle (Shinning)*
From all the dramas who are currently airing IMHO the best of them all is ”Twinkle Twinkle” (50 Episodes).
The premise of this drama circles around to female characters
Han Jung-Won played by Kim Hyun-Joo (The Partner, Boys Over Flowers) and Hwang Geum-Ran played by Lee Yu-Ri (Daring Woman, I Love You. Don’t Cry).
Han Jung-Won is the daughter of rich parents, who the father owns a publishing company, she happens to work for her Dad and is constantly competing with her older sibling, in the hopes that she will eventually inherit the company,
On the other hand we have Hwang Geum-Ran the daughter of a struggling family, even when the mother owns her restaurant, she and her extended family are always having to pay for the failures of her gambling addicted father, and she happens to work as a clerk at a bookstore.
Well the main theme so far, deals with the discovery that the two girls where switched at birth, we have seen this theme before in K-drama land, even “New Gisaeng Story” is based upon that premise. But in this drama the turn of events is so organic that by the time the switch is finally confirm via 2 DNA test, episodes 6, 7, that I was in tears!!! I mean the pace of the drama and the acting is so good, that I was so move by the fact the this event, has not only set to completely change the circumstances of two individuals, but the life’s of both extended families are set to be change forever.
By the way the thing that I like the most is how well balance is how Comedy is set against the Melodrama on this show.
The sub-plots are fresh and very well written, the writer does not get hang (so far) in dragging a premise to long, so far she is rounding and resolving the issues in about 1 or 2 episodes, and the continuation of a theme is only used to advance the story forward.
Subplots: Han Jung-Won's relationship with Song Soong-Joon played by Kim Seok-Hun (The Iron Empress, A Man and A Woman), Han Jung-Won was hoping to get promoted to Editor-in-Chief, but her father instead hired Song Soong-Joon, so we have work related angst, and possible romance.
Hwang Geum-Ran's relationship to Song Soong-Joon, Soong has become almost like a silent “Guardian Angel”, after he help her out, following her break up from her boyfriend, hopefully their relationship is not going to create problems in the future.
Hwang Geum-Ran's family dynamics are to a certain extent the comedy side of the drama, specially the relationship between her Mom and Dad, Her older sister and her poor little nice who is forced feed the English language 24/7.
It also deals with a young man who has become a single father, because the Mom basically abandon the child to go and better herself back int the States, and the little baby is used as a very good part of the story line, since the 2 families get some how connected because the relationship to the baby.
Well I hope that this little recap will bring more viewers to a very “underrated” drama, that truly deserves more praise, I feel that if it continues like this for the rest of the 50 episodes it will a real success.
P.S. The ratings have improve dramatically and it's hitting double digits!!!! “Twinkle Twinkle Fighting”!!
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 2:49 PM
unnie,
why don't you ask the beans ladies to let you recap twinkle twinkle? I think you would love it and I would love to know if it ends well too.
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Linda165
March 25, 2011 at 2:54 PM
OMG I second that!
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GrandmaFran
March 25, 2011 at 4:24 PM
third that! i'm really enjoying this show too.
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tinpra
March 26, 2011 at 7:33 AM
4th! I'd love a Twinkle Twinkle recap.
MJP
March 25, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Amg1,
I too think you did a great job recapping Twinkle Twinkle/Shining. You can always keep us updated on the OT!!! Looking forward to more posts from you, as always!
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Linda165
March 25, 2011 at 2:53 PM
Nicely put! I'm enjoying this show, and I love to hate Geum-Ran. I find her too selfish and I think she's only interested in the money. She also blames Jung Won as if is her fault they were switch at the hospital.
I'm afraid of Soong-Joon and Geum Ram's possible relationship. I think he will fall for her first and this infuriates me!!! Can't he see that Jung Won is a better person? She's kind, sweet, honest and hard working. Plus, she IS Gu Jun-pyo's noona, for Pete's sake!!!
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amg01
March 25, 2011 at 4:06 PM
@ahjummabunny, thank you for the "Unnie" compliment, but I am actually an "oppa", hahahaha, well I don't think I am qualify to attempt a full recap of 50 episodes, but thank you for your vote of confidence!!! : O }
@Linda165, that's the same thing that I am hoping, I hope the writer do not turn Geum-Ran in to the proverbial "Bad Girl".
* Warning Spoiler* I Just finishing watching episode 9 and Geum-Ran does not appear to be just trying to make a "quick dollar", I think she is being genuine about her new discovered relationship with her real mom, What I really like is the way the writer is developing the story line, when Geum- calls her real Mom "o-mmo-ni" for the first time we se how she apologizes in her mind to her other mom and uses the word "omma" , I believe that Geum-Ran does want to get out of being poor, but I hope that she does not turn really evil, and make the two families suffer, since it is nobody's fault but the Hospital's!!!!!
Dude the scene in the bookstore where her mom sees Geum-Ran with the new clothes her real Mom just gave her and the new handbag, and walk away hand in hand was just a tearjerker, I am really liking this drama more and more with every hew episode!!!! On to watch episode 10!!!! TT FTW!!!!!!
*END SPOILER*
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GrandmaFran
March 25, 2011 at 4:35 PM
ahh okay. i always thought you were a man from the way you wrote and was shocked to discovered you were a female with the unnie comment. but in the end, you are a guy.
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 7:01 PM
OOOOPPPPAAA!
Mea nae yo!
I know 50 episodes is an undertaking. Well maybe someone else will join in with you? Any takers? I would volunteer except I haven't watched the show ( I think it premiered stateside last weekend but I watched sbs drama instead) and I am a person who doesn't mind spoilers while others might I might muddy the episodes with my omniscience.
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tinpra
March 26, 2011 at 7:40 AM
Definitely one of the things I'm really loving about this drama is that Geum Ran isn't just turning into an Eviline character. She's got definite character flaws (she can't see the life-forest for the poverty-trees) but she's not just making schemes to ingratiate herself into Han family and displace Jun Won. Nice to know that continues. Oh the agony of waiting for Ep 9 subs!
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maez
March 26, 2011 at 6:55 PM
Just realized that I also think this is the best drama currently airing. 49 days is okay but then again I've only been reading the recaps.
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jomo143
March 28, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Your comment about SSJ and HGR "hopefully their relationship is not going to create problems in the future."
shows you are a fan of Han Jung-Won, too.
I'm thinking the only way it would cause a problem is by misunderstanding. I think if SSJ falls for HJW, espcially since she will now be working for him as a regular Josephine instead being one of the owner's family, he will stay true to her.
SSJ is one of my favorite male characters in a long time, righteous to a fault, about to have to change his mind about some things.
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41 izocha
March 25, 2011 at 2:58 PM
Happy Friday! I have been catching up with films because of the current dirth of superkalifragilistic dramas... I watched Ajusshi, Searching for Kim Jong-Ok, and the Good, the Bad, and the Weird. Ajusshi oh so many things of goodness...especially the visceral feel. Searching for Kim Jong-Ok...who wouldn't look everywhere Gong Woo as traveling hipster dude? A very pleasant film. The Good, the Bad and Weird was hilarious and wonderful. Song Kang-ho looks like an old flatmate of mine, which makes everything more surreal. His character as the weird is great. I grew up watching Clint Eastwood and many other westerns with my Dad, this was a super furry happy redefinition of the genre.
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 3:32 PM
IzOcha,
Please clarify for me, if you will what you meant by "Visceral feel?" Deep feeling, instinctive feeling or crude feeling? (Yes, I had to look the word up... :-) )
vis·cer·al adj \ˈvi-sə-rəl, ˈvis-rəl\
Definition of VISCERAL
1: felt in or as if in the internal organs of the body : deep
2: not intellectual : instinctive, unreasoning
3: dealing with crude or elemental emotions : earthy
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izocha
March 25, 2011 at 5:58 PM
MJP,
The movie deals with instinctive emotions. The characters are written simply, the story being about the journey the man must undergo to save the people he cherishes. The violence is unrelenting and unembellished. People are not always graceful. The noir lighting and ambiant sound further grounded the story's sense of reality.
The movie kinda made me want to crawl out of my skin at times and I was completely wrapped in it the entire time I was watching.
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 10:52 PM
Thanks for clarifying. It's only in theatres currently, yes?
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Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 11:15 AM
http://myasiancinema.com/k-movie-the-man-from-nowhere-2010/
...I love this website...
Amzaning movie!
MJP
March 26, 2011 at 3:01 PM
Ambie!
Thanks! You are so beautiful to me!!!
izocha
March 26, 2011 at 6:23 PM
I'm glad you covered Ambie! I went to sleep... I watched it on Dramacrazy and Netflix has it available on DVD.
ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 7:05 PM
I've been watching k films here and there. I saw arahan last weekend. It was fantastic.
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izocha
March 25, 2011 at 7:45 PM
Thanks for the recommendation! I'll try to fit it in soon.
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42 ck1Oz
March 25, 2011 at 3:42 PM
Happy OT everyone.Everyone seems up and happy this morning.
It's freezing here and I feel the need for some hot bulgulgi and some banchan.Off to the shops to buy the ingredients-the nearest Korean place is like 45min away :-) Too lazy to drive that far.
Oh and MJP your hubby snickering at Gong Yoo...what?Sacrilegious not one can snicker at Goong Yoo!
My other half just 'looks' at me when I change my wallpaper on my laptop.
That's because of you guys it was Lee Dong Wook after all the raving about 'My Girl' last week.
This week is Chung Jung Myung 'What's up fox?' I can't access dramacrazy and mysoju links are not working.WITHs2 subs are not synched to the video.I ended up watch the whole series unsubbed except for ep 16.
It was so so so good.My Korean not so good...but enough for me to catch some great lines and man he oozes Noona killer 'come hither to me' looks.
Now to minimise my laptop screen and looks some more at him.Gulp.
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ahjummabunny
March 25, 2011 at 7:04 PM
is it chung jung myung with the beard? I wish he would wear a beard all the time and move in next door to me and ask me to make him ramen ( I have a killer recipe!)
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anitalotti
March 27, 2011 at 2:23 PM
Always thought that the beard does wonders for him, too!
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 11:07 PM
ck1Oz,
I looked on Dramawiki to read about Chung Jung Myung. He is currently in "The Duo". Are you watching that kdrama?
I haven't watched "What's up fox?" yet. I hope I remember to watch it. I am currently watching Laica and Viola's pick of Hana Yori Dango. Is it funny? The synopsis reads like it's really funny... I might get sidetracked from HYD... I REALLY like funny! Oooh what to do? What to do?
I think I am just going to peek at it... Just a little peek at episode 1... hmm, it won't distract me from finishing HYD... no not me! ;-)
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ck1Oz
March 25, 2011 at 11:22 PM
Gah.There is a bed scene where he is trying to get fresh.
OMG his voice...ah some more.And his 'I want you' noona killer look :-)
Who am I kidding?He's cute and I never even watched Cinderella Sister.I only started WUF because of the comments from OT.
No not watching The Duo.March is my viki mini break.I am catching up on old dramas.
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ck1Oz
March 25, 2011 at 11:31 PM
I forgot.How can I forget?
For you ahjummabunny he has a beard in ep 1.For MJP-hot shower scene.
If these 2 doesn't get you both in?
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MJP
March 26, 2011 at 12:36 AM
Yes, I have already dropped HYD and am watching the first episode....
MJP
March 26, 2011 at 8:06 PM
Call me a crazy drama addict! I haven't slept and finished all 16 episodes of "What's Up Fox".
It was good!!! I recommend it. A bit racy in parts, definitely not one to watch with little ones around.
43 eb
March 25, 2011 at 5:43 PM
anyone else looking forward to jang jin's new movie, "romantic heaven"?
i often find his characters both amusing and endearing and look forward to this latest of jang jin's projects:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7qECL_MmeY
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GrandmaFran
March 25, 2011 at 6:16 PM
oooh this looks good.
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Lost without KDramas
March 26, 2011 at 4:44 AM
Once I saw the cute 'waiter guy' from Coffee Prince I was in. See another couple of older actors that I like too. The 'butcher guy' in Coffee Prince and the grandpa from My Princess.
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jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 7:51 AM
Calling YY
Lost without KDramas just mentioned your Grandpa-oppa.
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YY
March 26, 2011 at 8:53 PM
Not sure I like linking him and some butcher old guy in the same breath. Grandpa oppa stands alone.
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samgetang
March 27, 2011 at 6:00 AM
LOL! sorry to the butcher old guy ;-)
44 MsRetta
March 25, 2011 at 7:13 PM
Oh Oh Oh...Ha Dong Qn!!!
New release, After the love, beautiful!!
He sounds so good. I am so happy.
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45 YY
March 25, 2011 at 8:55 PM
Hi everyone! Watching All About Eve now. Didn't know the PP girl was Eve. She's good. I prefer her evil and dark to fluffy and ditzy. I think she did something to her eyebrows to make them arch more evilly.
Sam, aren't you watching 49 days? Time is running out.
Jomo, say hi to the owls for me.
clichique, where are you? Kang has got nice big eyes but they don't stare into your soul. Soul. haha.
Viola, Siwon told me his abs have started to sag.
izzie, quit hiding and come out. I forgive what you did to grandpa.
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Viola
March 25, 2011 at 9:20 PM
YY, thank you for telling me the vital news. Even though it's utterly false, and a malicious slander to boot, it gives me a valid excuse. Now, I must go and inspect them; Diligently.
My hubby is appearing as Ren in Skip Beat, so must not let him go out looking less than his best! :P
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samgetang
March 25, 2011 at 11:21 PM
YY! hiya there, my dear! 49 days? Havent gotten to it yet. Tnks for the tip...will check that out, too. Have been just so absorbed and ecstatic over City Hall and The Kiss ;-) and Ive been playing its OST like crazy these days, especially...
'Kurae Nareul Midja' (Okay, I'll Believe in Myself)...here's a YT link of its acoustic live version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGmFyV_5SwI
And 'Buranhan Sarang' (Uncertain Love)...here's a YT link of a fan-made vid with english-romanized lyrics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyfJyFUUhnI&feature=related
But all the songs in the OST are really really good! ;-)
Hmmm...Im also wondering -- where could izzie be? She's scheduled to fly to Korea soon last time I heard from her....could she be hounding grampa now? :-)
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annie
March 25, 2011 at 11:53 PM
I love those two songs as well - they're my favourite from the soundtrack. I was constantly playing the OST for a few weeks after I watched CH. I still listen to Buranhan Sarang regularly... god that voice, and the lyrics are so perfect for their relationship. It's probably the most beautiful song from a Korean drama that I've ever heard. I always think of that scene where Jo Gook comes to see her with flowers behind his back, and she's sitting on that table in her yard with the blossoms falling down, and he says, "Will you go on a trip with me?" and the song starts to play... and they just look at each other...
*swoons*
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samgetang
March 26, 2011 at 1:00 AM
laica, i just finished watching CH so my brain is in auto-CH OST-pilot mode these days, hehehehe ;-) the OST is superb! the genre is as versatile as the drama itself. need i say more? :-) that scene in her garden when he handed the bouquet is one of the best for me, too (among so many fave scenes, hehe)...
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Schmazel
March 26, 2011 at 12:14 AM
One of the most memorable lines, if not the best, from CH for me was when SMR asked JG, "Did you use the trip as an excuse to bring that (thing about being mayor) up?" and JG answered, "No, I used the thing about being mayor as an excuse to go an a trip with you."
Best wordplay. Ever.
CH is one of my favourite dramas. I've watched it so many times that I have memorized what happens in which episode. Hahah. ;)
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samgetang
March 26, 2011 at 12:48 AM
Oh, schmazel! That's the best line for me, too (among so many faves in this drama)! This JG is a man after my own heart, hehe ;-) Loved the wordplay ;-) like a Jason Mraz poetry/song ;-)
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epyc
March 26, 2011 at 7:04 AM
Love all your City Hall raving. It is still my all time favorite with so many layers that you can dissect it to death. The wonderful CH thread creator at Soompi, Alodia, has compiled the most comprehensive index of all things CH at http://www.soompi.com/forums/topic/266165-drama-2009-the-city-hall/ It is a labour of love - enjoy!
The CH love in no small way is due to Samsooki's exquisite recap here at DB. All the best, Samsooki, wherever you are now!
jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 7:29 AM
Just visualizing any of the conversations between the two of them speeds my pulse up a little.
Such a great pairing of intelligence, humor, ambition and sexuality.
I can't wait for CSW's next drama.
What is KSA up to?
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izzie
March 26, 2011 at 7:29 AM
LOL! Hey there, samgetang sistah. :) Been quite busy with work (with the news channel and all that), plus I'm preparing for my trip so I'm trying to brush up on my Korean before the flight. I'm quite excited but haven't finalized my itinerary yet.
How about you? How have you been? (That also goes to the other sistahs here: YY, Jomo, Viola...) Any news about KDL, sumee & pastmidnite?
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samgetang
March 27, 2011 at 5:56 AM
been well, my dear izzie. we all missed yah here at OT. i see sumee here sometimes but kdl and pastmidnite, nary their shadows...sad, sad.
but im happy yr korea trip is near. is this work-related or for study? last time i went there was many years ago...and i was not a kdrama fan yet...if only i'd known, haha!
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izzie
March 29, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I miss you all too, Moony-Loony sisters. :) Is there a YAI drama yet? *sigh* The one dongsaeng that rules 'em (noonas) all...
"is this work-related or for study?"
Neither. It's for fun!!! :D *sigh* I SO need this break and am SO excited, although it will only be for a few days. Speaking of "study," I'm also looking at applying for a masters degree on info & media mgt. in SK. So... I hope I get through and I hope my bosses approve since it would take me a year away from work. *crosses fingers.*
"last time i went there was many years ago…and i was not a kdrama fan yet…if only i’d known, haha!"
You can always go back. :) Oh come on, what's keeping you? :)
samgetang
March 29, 2011 at 12:15 PM
for fun! yay! good for you, hard-working izzie!!!!
might take awhile before my next trip to SK...first things first...my biz is just in its baby stages....my last trip was in beijing 2 years ago...thats what one must sacrifice when you start on your own, hehe...not complaining though ;-)
izzie
March 26, 2011 at 7:18 AM
But, I didn't do anything to grandpa. :( Directly. :)
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jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 7:31 AM
Hello Izzie!
How's things with school?
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jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 7:42 AM
I read your post up there, so of course, i mean work and your future trip.
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izzie
March 26, 2011 at 8:06 AM
LOL! It's okay. I might go back to part-time school after my trip anyway. :)
Work is, well... back-breaking. I barely have time to feed my kdrama addiction. TV work has been very demanding since the triple catastrophe in Japan (although I can't really complain especially when I am reminded of the sufferings of the people over there), disasters & troubles in other countries, and some big news in our local political scene lately. It's just plain crazy in the office. It's good to have this short break (trip to SK) to look forward to, but when I return, I expect a pile of things to do again.
But as I've said, I'm excited about my trip. Scenes from my visit last year have been flashing in my mind more frequently lately. :) I'd be going mid-April and hope to be there right in time for the cherry blossoms in full bloom. :)
How about you? How have you been? :)
46 Viola
March 25, 2011 at 9:22 PM
What did Izzie do to Grandpa? 0_0 I thought it was natural causes?
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YY
March 25, 2011 at 10:04 PM
That's what show says but I know better.....
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izzie
March 26, 2011 at 7:16 AM
I would like to explain, but I would rather invoke my right against self-incrimination. :)
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samgetang
March 27, 2011 at 5:47 AM
izzie dear! we missed yah! i guess you've been very busy with a lot of guys who love to invoke their rights against self-incrimination like its a bottomless pit....
ive been glued to your channel, too ;-) i dont know if im guessing your network correctly...hint pls...
if you are anywhere near makati pls give me a ring (PM me at samgetangph@gmail.com) so we can meet up before you go to the land of the morning calm ;-)
mwah! ;-)
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izzie
March 29, 2011 at 10:57 AM
"i guess you’ve been very busy with a lot of guys who love to invoke their rights against self-incrimination like its a bottomless pit…."
Yeah. They remind me so much of my former-formers... :P
"ive been glued to your channel, too ;-) i dont know if im guessing your network correctly…hint pls…"
Guessed it right. ;) And thank you for watching the new channel. It's an honor for us that it's getting a good reception.
Btw, have you seen the SG plug yet? ;) I'm quite excited about the drama's airing and very curious as to how the local audience would react to it. But I'm sensing that after all these, sparkly tracksuits would surface in the stalls of divisoria and baclaran, and donned by people who trod the streets of MM albeit the tropical weather. Body odors be damned.
Gosh. I'm here in QC. :( anyway, makati's just a train ride away... :)
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samgetang
March 29, 2011 at 12:08 PM
izzie girl, i was thinking about the other network actually, hehe (they are currently airing MP, too, i saw in the news online just today...did not watch it yet...wonder how PHY would look and sound like speaking the local tongue) but your network's parallel news channel i heard is a cooler version. so you moved there from the main station? no wonder you've been busy eh? sadly, i dont watch the local tv so havent seen the SG plug yet. is it going heads to heads with MP then? wow! tough choice for the audience. id go for MP myself but HB has a lot of local fans bcos of MNIKSS fame, right? i know! i can smell divisoria knock-offs of JW's italian sparkle jacket, hehe. di bale ng bumula ang kili2, hahaha!
one year off from work, woah! hope you get that sabbatical leave approved. my childhood friend from the other network, also in the news, took same sabbatical to study in Oz and never came back cos she got herself hooked with this Norwegian guy. and she was very passionate with her job! she's now in oslo with her 2 kids. so you better be careful if u plan to do your studies in SK ok, hehe....
yeah, get into that MRT and check out this side of town...PM me....yey!
47 Schmazel
March 25, 2011 at 9:59 PM
Hello OT-ers! So glad that the weekend is finally here. I totally qualify to be a Superwoman after the crazy week I've had. I went to a conference 5 hours from where I live, presented my project there, worked on a presentation and a summary, came back 3 days later, had a presentation on the day I arrived home and the next day had another presentation in class and not to mention homework...and lived to tell the story! I congratulate myself! Heheh. Now it's time to prepare for another presentation and decide on my project topics and work on my thesis.
I think I need some Korean ginseng chicken soup, or my mum's home-cooked food but she's half the globe away. :(
On the other hand, I've started counting down the days to Easter holidays!! 3 weeks left! :D
Still have Japan and the Middle East as well as Myanmar on my mind.
Have a great weekend everyone. :)
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MJP
March 25, 2011 at 11:10 PM
Schmazel,
Wow! That is one busy week this week. Glad you made it through!
I am glad Easter is later this year. It will be warmer! Will you go visit your family at Easter? Is that why you are excited?
Happy Weekend to you!
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Schmazel
March 26, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Hello MJP,
Thanks! Yeah, the weather is getting warmer. Time to bring out my shorts and sandals and say good bye to long-sleeved tops and turtlenecks. :D
Unfortunately, I won't be going home for Easter, but no worries...I'll be home for Christmas! Counting down the days to that as well. I plan to do some travelling in summer around Mexico (which is where I'm studying now) and am excited and really looking forward to that, not to mention just resting my brain and not worrying about homework. ;)
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48 amg01
March 25, 2011 at 11:21 PM
I am listening to the song "Friday" by Rebecca Black, and I must admit that this song, even tough it has not much of a redeeming value, the people who produce this song are brilliant.
Rebecca Black reminds me of a lot of "White" singers before her, many people do not know who Richard Wayne Penniman (aka Little Richard) is, he truly is the "Father of Rock and Roll", and the first Black/White entertainer who wore woman's clothing and makeup, specially red lipstick and eye liner circa 1950's and 1960's.
White entertainers like Elvis, Pat Boone, etc made millions remaking not only the songs that Little Richard wrote and recorded first, but trough the better part of the last 100 years of recorded music here in the USA @ 80% percent of all the popular music has been created by Black musicians and entertainers, from the Blues, Jazz, Zydeco, Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Reggae, Funk, Disco, Rap, R&B etc. etc.
Please do not get me wrong! I am not saying that "Blue-eye soul" artist are not talented, we have Janis Joplin, Teena Marie, Sheena Easton, Christina Aguilera, Fergie, Joss Stone, Pink, to name a few, all I am saying is this; The amount of Black artist singing now days, as in the past, will always be overshadow by their White counterparts, I think maybe the majority feels that Black music always sound better or looks better with White skin!
I meant no disrespect to white people!!!!!
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jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 7:24 AM
Of course you mean that RB is not as talented as the some of the earlier singers who covered Little Richard - like Elvis - just that her "packaging" reminds you of them, right?
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tinpra
March 26, 2011 at 7:50 AM
From the one song/vid I've seen of Rebecca Black I think she's very talented. Unless ppl are souping up her voice with technology, she's got a great sound esp for someone fairly young. (I'm a singer, btw. Not professionally b/c that's not my thing, but I do sing w/a professional jazz guitarist when he does special gigs, and in an amateur band.) When you're younger, your voice tends to be reedy, especially if you're a soprano or alto. She's strong, she's clear....she could work on her breathing but that will probably get better as her body matures.
What I didn't like was the song she sang, ironically enough! Not that it was a bad song in itself--Christina Perri's "Jar of Hearts" which I love--but I wasn't keen on an 13 year old singing it. I realize I may be the youngest prude I know, esp when I think on some of the songs I used to sing w/my friends when I was much younger (Janet Jackson's "Bad Boys" in kindergarten!).
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Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Respectfully, I have to disagree.
I think its a travesty to have her singing this song.
I don't think she can sing.
IMO these are voices of artist worthy 12/13/14 year old voices.. ( meaning all songs were sung when they where that age)
12 yo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9FLu8YCU4M
13 yo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I62uwbyD2pU
13 yo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1m4ddUY4pc&feature=related
13 yo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_gQKhZ_hhM&feature=related
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tinpra
March 27, 2011 at 4:23 PM
And I have just realized that I misremembered the name of the person performing Jar of Hearts. It's a girl named Maddi Jane (for whom all my previous comments stand) and not Rebecca Black! So different! In *that* case, yes I agree that Ms. Black has an average voice.
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Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Christina P. is 23...
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Ambie
March 26, 2011 at 11:36 AM
hmmm ....actually I felt more "jolted" by your comment "I think maybe the majority feels that Black music always sound better or looks better with White skin!"and saddened and resigned by the truth of "The amount of Black artist singing now days, as in the past, will always be overshadow by their White counterparts"
I have grown up semi annoyed at music mainly because all my life I have seen/heard music that was developed by my peeps done over in less pleasing ways by the majority.
The many of the early BES artist are consider thieves by many AA because of how they became BES. ...
I could go full rant here... but I wont.. but I most definitely did a few papers on this subject in High and University....
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49 @.@
March 26, 2011 at 3:24 AM
hey everyone!!!!!! happy weekend!!!!
so, i felt withdrawal symptoms. the last drama i saw was paradise ranch, and it ended last week...what should i watch now? i'm looking forward to goodbye mrs ripley and city hunter, but until that airs, maybe i should watch 49 days...it sounds cool. problem is, i also have to study for university entrance exams in june.....what do you guys suggest? oh, and can you guys help me, please? i'm applying for a work position, and there is a question on the form asking about previous work experience and stuff. i've never worked before, but i don't want to leave it blank. any advice on what i should do?
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pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 4:11 AM
Than to leave it blank, better to fill it with: your experience in organization or your experience as a part of committee for special occasion. Wish that help, I'm working on my CV and cover letter too.
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jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 7:40 AM
Why are you pohohphee, and how is it pronounced, please?
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pohonphee
March 26, 2011 at 8:47 AM
Because I'm not creative enough?? ha, ha
Phee (read like I in Kimchi) is how you will read my 1st syllable of my IRL name (you know my FB name ;) ) but because Korean doesn't have F, I'm ok with P
Pohon (both O are read like O in Yobo) : the 2nd syllable of my IRL name supposed to be read like tree in English when you translate back to my language tree means that word (Eunso in Autumn in My heart who like to become a tree, remember? Ok that has no correlation :D )
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jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 4:19 PM
Cool! It is a Korean adapted name.
jomo143
March 26, 2011 at 7:38 AM
First, is this in English?
Second- adding to what pohonphee says, it counts even if you didn't get paid.
As a hiring manager for many years, we look for reasons to hire someone we like, even if on paper they are not the ideal candidate.
The hiring manager will see through any attempt of you to
liestretch the truth about not having been employed, but will be interested in talking to you more if you can word your non-paid work the right way.Required fields are marked *
ck1Oz
March 26, 2011 at 8:47 AM
It's been a while for me but I recall buying some books for doing CVs and cover letters.
Then using action verbs to list qualities you have/done in your unpaid work to tie in with the job speifications they are looking for in the job description.
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MJP
March 26, 2011 at 8:12 PM
@.@,
Hi! I think folks have covered the "volunteer labor" work experience. Just remember, it is never too late to volunteer and update your resume. I believe resume's are what is called "living" documents, meaning they always change.
But I thought of something else. When I first started out I signed up with various temporary agencies to "get my feet wet". I worked various one to three day temp jobs, that was all that was on my resume in the beginning.
Hope this helps!
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50 Lost without KDramas
March 26, 2011 at 4:52 AM
So looking forward to seeing this weeks episodes of 'New Tales of a Gisaeng'. It's the only drama that I'm really hooked on at the moment.
Starting Monday I'm going to be unable to watch any KDramas for over a month.
Thankfully I'll still have access to Dramabeans so I hope I the withdrawal pains aren't so bad.
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janna
March 26, 2011 at 6:04 AM
What? Why?! How will you get your Sonja fix? Andre will miss you terribly.
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Lost without KDramas
March 26, 2011 at 6:34 AM
I’ll be on the road for a month.
I’ll think of Sonja’s washboard stomach when I do my laundry and pat every Andre-lookalike I come across.
But it’s ‘still-got-to-grow-up’ Da-mo I’ll miss the most. Hopefully I won’t come across to many like him in his present stage of life…and when I come back he’ll have found a way to say what he really thinks rather than ‘I want you to be my sister.’ That’s one terrible phrase…
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janna
March 27, 2011 at 6:05 AM
That was definitely a relationship killing line. I really.. don't get how everyone likes Da-mo. But I know, he needs to grow and stuff. I'm excited for today's episode... because it's bad news for Da-mo and I like pouring the haterade.
I like Son-ja for his attitude, but now no one will believe me. I've never hated being a noona more than this.
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