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Cha Seung-won: I am Dokko Jin

Six episodes in, Best Love is doing strong, and it looks poised to do even better with one competitor bowing out of the ratings race (true, City Hunter takes 49 Days’ place next week, but it’s always nice to have a definite rival out of the picture). At the heart of the drama’s success: The Hong sisters’ trademark brand of tight plotting and fast-flying laughs, as well as the strong chemistry of the leads, played by Gong Hyo-jin and Cha Seung-won.

The following interview with the latter is on the short side, but something’s better than nothing, right?

What’s the reason for people loving Best Love?

“The scripts are good, and I have a good rapport with [Gong] Hyo-jin. Hyo-jin goes after a natural, realistic acting style and I’m a technical actor, but together our different styles match remarkably well.”

What are the basic qualities a romantic comedy leading man must possess?

“There’s a flow to a romantic comedy hero. In the past, gentlemanly and pure men were emphasized, but these days they’re mostly ‘bad guy’ types. But Dokko Jin is different from the romantic comedy leading men we’ve seen so far. He’s laughable, but also cool. He’s entertaining and sometimes mischievous like a child, but on the other hand I wanted to show that he’s a romantic.”

There was a notable scene where you shouted at Ae-jung, ‘Give me my panties!’ What do you keep in mind while you’re acting?

“On top of being a romantic comedy, there are a lot of manhwa-like elements, and Dokko Jin has a prankish side, but I’m trying not to cross the line. Overexaggerating the laughs turns faces to frowns, and overdoing the melodrama makes people shrink away. There are scenes where the feeling and expressions can turn a total 180 degrees. Simply put, I try to keep my acting in halfway between starring and supporting level.”

Why do you suppose top star Dokko Jin falls for the unliked singer Gu Ae-jung?

“At first, I think it’s sympathy. After seeing Ae-jung trying to work hard at something, without realizing it he feels pity for her. That leads to interest, and that leads him to seeing her positive traits, and that leads him to see her as a woman, which develops into romantic feelings. At first he really disliked her, but after several encounters, she doesn’t seem like a bad person, and the sight of her working as diligently and sincerely as she can stirs his feelings.”

How would you feel if you met Gu Ae-jung in real life?

“I think I’d like her. [Laughs]”

What kind of feeling should a romantic-comedy drama give its viewers?

“Watching the drama should make them feel aflutter with excitement. In particular, when men watch, it should make make them think, ‘Ah, so that’s what women like, I should do that for them.’ I’m learning a lot through this drama, too. When Ae-jung is sleeping in her car outside the nightclub, Dokko Jin sees her from outside the window but holds his hand up to the glass as though to prop up her face. Seeing how much the women viewers like that scene, I learned something. [Laughs]”

In real life?

“I wouldn’t do that. [Laughs]”

Best Love didn’t grab me as quickly as some of the Hongs’ other dramas — I definitely laughed through the earlier episodes, but wasn’t invested in the relationships or characters right off the bat — but with this past week, I’ve felt the familiar heart-tug back in full effect. I think it’s the balance Cha mentions; he had shown us glimpses of that inner romanticism from time to time (the window, the movie theater, the potatoes) through Episode 5, but Jin was also way too wacky for my taste.

I’d argue that Cha did cross that line a few times with the exaggerated drunk crankypants drawl and the wild gesticulations, and there were moments I felt alarmed at his crazy. (Like, full-on “Call the cops!” crazy.) But with Episode 6, he toned down the deranged egotist persona and got me pulling for his character.

It was also the first time I rooted more for Jin than for the still-adorable Pil-joo (I know!), although I’m still pretty sure I’ll weep for the poor doctor at a later date. It doesn’t hurt that Cha is totally turning on the sex appeal — phew!, that man is pure charisma. He and Gong are both actors you really have to see in action to feel the effect of their pull — hers is natural and genuine, while his magnetic enough that I swear he’s generated his own gravity.

Via Hankyoreh

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Needless to say, i watched e 6 episodes over n over again... There are onli a few characters/actors who appeal to me. CSW is at e #1 spot in my heart currently. I think e reason y this drama (n many other kdramas) tug at our heart strings is tat e kind of romance dun exist in real life.. If there is, pls share!!! So that i noe i'm not living fairytale romances through dramas~

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For the 1st time I am vested with Hong's sister, I am not a big fan of them and enjoy their dramas in a moderate mode.

But this really win me over and I like it much more than the Gumiho which I don't finish to see it as I lost interest.

I love CSW and see all of his works in big screen and small screen. Maybe that is also the reason I like this drama? hehe

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my only problem w/ this drama why they dress GAJ like this? even in pasta her clothes are horrible

i thinkher stylist should be firred
i understand that she's not an A-list singer in the drama but still....

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i think she is suppose to be abit off and kooky

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I also think they are playing down/hiding how teeny tiny she is. Her clothes are adding weight to what we see of her on screen, trying to match the character's personality.

The silly shoulder pads were cute, but they also made her look bigger.

The only time we see her true figure, she is jumping up and down, arms thrown up in very large gestures.

When they put her into a stunning gown, hopefully beaded, she's going to look like an Audrey Hepburn type, more than KTH ever could. And it will make we weep...I have the biggest crush on her right now...Maybe becaue I want to be BE her in the scenes with CSW and YKS?

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kth? nothing's coming to mind? kth? the scene where she's dancing and singing in the mirror after trying on the cute black banded dress has an audrey hepburn feel but hepburn never came over to me as playful as gong hyo jin is coming over.

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They played up the Hepburn angle during the outside movie scene where KTH is in front of AH's image from Roman Holiday on the wall.

The more I think of it, AJ is slightly Eliza Dolittle.
Spunky unsophisticate with a will of iron evolves outwardly to a gracefu swan with a will of iron.

She cleans up nice, but we know she was always beautiful, and way smarter than Henry Higgins gives her credit for.
and she gets to sing the best I'm-down-because-of-your-jerkiness-but-not-out song Without You:

Without your twirling it, the earth can spin
Without your pushing them, the clouds roll by,
If they can do without you, ducky, so can I
I shall not feel alone without you
I can stand on my own without you
So go back in your shell
I can do bloody well
Without you...

Love to see her beauty revealed in a classic sleek beaded gown like something Hepburn would have worn IRL.

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a firred stylist!!!!! haaaaaahaaaaaahaaaa. hmm are we talking about the evergreen or the plastic kind?

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Was anyone else disappointed that we never got an explanation for why Ae Jung decided to wear that "Home Economics Class Fashion Show" dress on the quiz show? When the photos of that came out before the series started, I figured she must've lost a bet or something...

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Only thing I saw her in before was Thank You and her style sucked then too. I'd like to see her in a nice outfit. The best I've seen is the one in the promo poster when he's holding her hand and she's two steps behind him.

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It's the "Down to earth" feel. If she's dressed to the nines, that's not her character and she would be the type to have "10,000,000" won.

She's also playing "Ajumma" so that means that she's not going to be glitzy.

She also is playing "Natural" characters both in Pasta and in Best Love. It fits.

Also, Korea has this thing where if you dress the main character up too much, then that character is a "Witch" and that means that character is the "bad girl". Red lip stick, perfect hair, and glitzy clothes are part of that. But more to the point, she's supporting 4 people and doesn't have 10,000,000 won in her bank account in the show, so do you expect her to dress with brand name clothes?

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hehehe i got so excited reading this interview of him.

When he said, "i wouldn't do it irl", he felt so real. ;P

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I thought CSW was crazy zany too some of the times but surprisingly I wasn't put off by it. I've seen some OTT acting that makes me cringe but his version of OTT is refreshing because it doesn't seem forced....(sort of like Stephen Chow)...and it was really hilarious.

I too felt the first 2 episodes were just pure laughing sessions with no emotional investments...but once I detected attractions from the leads it became just more interesting...

As for the discussion on Secret Garden, I love that Hyun Bin's character is quirky and weird, but I felt many times his character was really really CRUEL to HaJiwon and my brain just couldn't accept why she went limply back into his arms whenever he came calling, esp since she's suppose to be strong willed and all. At least Dokko's insults don't come across as cruel and when he does sound offending it's because he was hurt or just clueless. In SG, the insults seemed calculated and cruel...at least IMO (Because I was offended).

I love you Dokko, crazy or not! You're such a marshmallow inside...

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i agree with you when you say CSW's OTT doesn't seem forced, he's so natural it feels real

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he was so zanily real that maybe that's y DB got so scared she wanted to call the cops...!! lol

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but not to call the cops, if i'm to be in front of jin (zany or not) maybe someone would have to call an ambulance, cause i'm sure i would faint

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there might not be enough ambulances for everyone who's been exposed to the poison of CSW!
We need a specialized hospital and personal treatment administration from the cause(man) himself!

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like CPR?????

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LOL.. You WISH! CPR may put you in a coma...

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noooo me in a coma would be a waste of wonderful CPR

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CSW is amazing. 1-4 was just funny, then ep 5 came and I feel all that romantic pull and his incredible charisma.

When he turn on this charm, boy, the voltage is just killing!!

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I cried a bit in the last episode. Can't wait for the ep7!

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me too.

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CSW is amazing in CityHall too..

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At first , i think I'm only the one here
screaming infront of the computer
PAUSE ... then Squeeeeeelll like a totally
fan girl XD.

I Love Dokko Jin , when his serious and
the last scene is awesome ..
and i want my own lie detector test ..

hihih.

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Akosirhenz You are not alone!!!I am screaming here too... :)
I have a screenshot of end of 5th episode, where Jin was going for Ae Jung. My mom went to my room and said :
" What a pretty girl "..Pretty girl! It killed me xD

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Happy not to be alone ,
The whole time I'm watching my brother
sits next to me and he keep sayin

" Keep quiet will you ??? !!! " HAHA.
I annoyed him that much .

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my upstairs neighbor is used to me yelling at my computer or tv in a foreign language. Recently I had been screaming kang ahh but now it's just gaaaahh and OMO OMO! and general squealing. honestly I hope cha seung won comes to hollywood and I don't because I feel like he'll be a minor character when he is a chungmuro (sp?) king! my heart is feeling stuffy again.

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I don't know why but this drama keeps reminding me of a philadelphia story. Even though cary grant gets the girl in that movie james stewart got her too. Is there another movie/drama that I should liken this situation to?

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But I don't think Jimmy Stewart had a chance. He was too late to the game. I'd love to see YKS win, and I think he could.

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well, she looked up his book in the library, she had a nigh frolic with him even a drunken kiss. he definitely swayed her. if pil joo gets that much I'll feel at ease. but that's not possible in a kdrama is it?

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But wasn't she wasted? Does it count?

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I haven't seen the movie in a long time, but if I remember well they had been drinking which led to skinny dipping and then a kiss. I think she was sober enough to know she didn't want to marry her fiance and also to know that she was projecting some of her rekindled feelings for cary grant onto james stewart. however, she really did have a moment with james stewart. she was interested enough to read his book! when I used to go for the artsy types I always read their work!

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i'm covering my eyes at this (just like jin) i only want love scenes between pantyman and aj.

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Is there any preview for ep. 7 ?

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Is it just me? Dokko jin reminds me of johnny depp in pirates of the carribean! Just Love them both, don't ask me why.

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Just read all the comments. Ijust love this place where i feel normal with this obsession. Csw and johnny depp are inexplicably hot with the crazy drunken ways and i cant for the life of me understand how they could overshadow orlando bloom and pil joo. It's the sex appeal. Sizzling hot. Wednesday come now! :)

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can cute win over sexy????
what's more i can't imagine pil joo being sexy (though yes to orlando bloom), but CSW (and Johnny Deep) are killing when they're cute!!!
CSW (Johnny Deep) sex appeal Sizzling hot??? yes, so of course they can overshadow anyone

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Hi , I am a new fan of Cha seung won !!! .. after City hall , I love all he acted and he is a really really good actor who I have seen.
Best love give me all the laughs , tears and pleasure...

cannot wait for wenesday and thur....and I have to wait one more day for the chinese version too. :(

Hope I will have chance to see him in real . The fans club in Taiwan are nice but it seems not easy to join the activities to see CHa!!!! oh ..what can i do ...what can i do ...hehe...

zoe

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hi, I am a new fan of Cha Seung Won in hong kong .

I love his acted after i watched City hall, he is a really rally good actor who i seen. I love all the drama from him.
I think he acted more better in Best Love because it showed on his eyes and smile. Best love give me lot of laughs , tears and pleasure.....
Can't wait until Wenesday and thursday...Watch Best love become one of my important date.:) unfortunely , i have to wait one more day because of the chinese version.
hope can see CHa in real. seems it is not easy . All the fans of Cha are very nice but the activities seems difficult to join . Help ! who can Help!! :)
happy birthday Cha!

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I also agree that CSW did cross the line a few times into crazy territory.

However the mix of his craziness and how normal and well-adjusted Ae-jung is, is pretty amazing!

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Yeah, I thought the character was a little nutty, but he's redeemed himself so far.

Although, I do hope that Cha Seung Won doesn't go around grabbing women's wrists in real life.

I like the fact that he laughed, saying he wouldn't really pillow her cheek from the other side of the window. It's a nice thought, but people do silly things so often in dramas and movies just because it looks good visually and helps to communicate their feelings without too many cheesy voice-overs.

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I wouldn't mind if CSW grabbed MY wrist.

Also don't think I'd mind if he pulled a Hyun-Bin-in-bed move (like people were talking about before, in Secret Garden), but then, that'd be totally different, since I wouldn't be trying to resist him (duh!) -- actually, it'd probably be HIM frantically trying to get away from ME, as I tried to restrain him!

(Was that too much of a creepy and stalker-ish thing to say?)

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not creepy at all. just realistic

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first time i'm seeing CSW, i nvr watched CH - i'm quite enjoying this drama tho i started just y-day!

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found Ghost House in Youtube, downloaded all 9 parts, and watched it at midnight...was a funny movie--CSW was so young there with rounder face...i like his face AND his body more now...so sexy with that sexy drawl:-)

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me: SUCH A GOOD DAY TODAY!
mom: its a wednesday. you're halfway through the week.
me: yeah. i know.
mom: you're only happy on fridays.
me: not anymore!
mom: drama?
me: DING DONG!
mom: better still have that A in math.
me: DING DONG!
mom: seriously?
me: DING DONG!!!

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LOL.

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Love it!

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DING DONG! LMAO
Guys, you don't know how much I love you all! I love coming to this site and reading all the other fevered brains' output and adding my own fevered brain gurgles.

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Ding Dong too

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DING DONG!

Okay, i have a confession. While Dokko Jin-Ae Jung scenes are romantic and craaaazzzy and adorable, what makes me watch Best Love over and over again, are the Dokko Jin and DING DONG scenes!!!! :D Man, that kid is seriously adorable :)

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cha seung won is adorable with the kid. he doesn't seem like the type but he seems to really like err ding dong.

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Man, if they ever started a spin-off to Best Love, "Pantyman and Ding Dong"... Oh that would be a happy, happy day. :)

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I adore his acting and chemistry with Gong Hyo Jin..

Bth of you bring me to heaven of K-Drama.. LOL..

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CSW is SEX on LEGS :-) not original, i think, as i've read it from a website

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it doesn't matter if it's not original, what matters is it's true!!!!!

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Oh sweet lord in heaven, I will MELT on Wednesday! I wish I could have sat in on his interview, just so that I could hear him speak. Every time he utters a word, I turn to butter.

I actually like his crazy acting, because I like the contrast of it against his stern sounding voice, and his older looks (especially when he had the cow). Plus it sort of takes his character's completely unrealistic views on life and physically personifies them. And this totally balances out Gong Hyo Jin's style and her character's behavior with how real and genuine both are. It makes them interesting to watch. What totally helps is that they make me laugh. I love to laugh.

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I'm agree that in recent episodes Pil Joo character is being side away more and more just like typicall hong sister's second lead...Please, strong character for the second lead..please give YKS chance to prove his acting...
If in the end Jin gonna get Ae Jung heart (hiks..sigh).. I hope hong sister still give chance to Pil Joo to get some affection from Ae Jung and I hope that he will be a good person till the end...

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gosh i still remember cha seung won in bodyguard!
how come he hasn't aged!!

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I'm also in love with BL! I truly enjoy the drama, the story's really cute. Cha Seungwon's such a good and versatile actor, I mean the distance between Son Hyuk (Athena) and Jin is really huge! I had very high expectations of the drama, and it didnt let me down. I really find all characters to be interesting and Gu Ae Jung is a very realistic yet cute character, and even though I go crazy cuz of Dokko Jin, Yoon Pil Joo is just so cute and adorable, his smile melts hearts :-) I really cant decide who I want to end up with Ae Jung,,,

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oh yeah guys, watch City Hall, it's one of a kind, a really great,great,great drama!

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incredibly, I'd forgotten how great city hall is. This had some of my favorite moments. this drama is really great. I'm a little tearful now thinking about it.

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you want to kill me... my heart is broken in pieces... i can't help but crying
what a beautiful video
thank you!!!!

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I love love LOOOOVE this drama!!!

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This is the second CSW's drama that I watched after Bodyguard 7 years ago.
I'm really in love with this drama. I also like Ae Jung.
Hong sisters are amazing with You're Beautiful but I think I love "Best Love" more now because of Dokko Jin !

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i think the same, YAB was awazing but Best Love is the Best because Pantyman!!!

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Thanks guys...Reading all your comments on Best Love and Cha Seung Won made my day. I realized that I'm NOT ALONE...because I think my obsession with this drama and Dokko Jin is already bordering on insanity. LOL...

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you're not alone

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I've got a feeling that at some point in time in e drama, CSW will start to question himself if he's realli in luv with Ae Jung or simply becoz of e song played during his op.

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I know that is always niggling at me. I'm always thinking what if he decides it's just the song. But then I think he went to the doctor and the doctor told him it was love. I'm soo nervous.

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I was worried about that, too, but after he talked to his doctor who admitted he played it during the surgery, the doc asked something like, "Has it occured to you you might be in love?"

Then, Director Moon tells him about the feelings of jealousy when you see that person with another man. There was no song playing for the rose scene or the hug/potato scene.

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exactly!!! I remember the doctor looked at the cd but, I don't remember him mentioning that the song was playing during the surgery. but he definitely reacted without the song a few times. cha seung won is amazing in this series.

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CSW didnt know that song was played during his op. So once he knows, i wonder if he will start doubting his feelings for Ae Jung.. I hope not!!

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Im really enjoying this drama :)

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Looks like megaupload is getting hammered by all the dl of ep 7! My dowload progress window is showing it'll take 3 hours!

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Dokko Jin is sooo crazy... and I love it. I mean have you seen his secret diary yet?: http://nimg.nate.com/orgImg/ta/2011/05/25/ta_1306302541_1123625423_0.jpg LOL

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i wanna see an interview if Gong Hyo JIn!!!! love her in this drama!!

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I freekin' love this drama! I love Cha Seung Won! He plays his character well. We are suppose to find him unlikable and a bit stuffy aligning with Gong Hyo-Jin's character. Honestly, I love his brassiness, his immaturity and his chockful colorfulness! He's creating a 3D character and we're already starting to fall for it! Still, I can't help loving 'Doctor' Yoon Kye Sang. He's soooooooooooooo nice but if he continues this niceness, I'm going to die of boredom. Yoon Kye Sang is a great actor and he needs more dimension to his character. He deserves it! Since I'm in love with both men! Aja aja to both equally! But I'm starting to lean towards meanie Dokko Jin.

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BTW, I love Ding Dong and the lie detector!!!!

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@Jomo...he looks really good wearing shower water, too.

you ain't nevah lied!!! lol

CHASEUNGWON is one of Korea's best/better actors. I have watched him in several pieces and he knows his craft. I like that he can make a scene with simple nuances or go there at will. (forgive me) there is a movie he filmed where he purchased a home and a ghost lived there....wonderful, funny and charming then take Secret...gritty, action and wow!

I will watch him in anything because he brings it!

oh and the man oozes masculinity, testosterone, mega sexy and ain't even trying!..I feel for his wife when he turns it on! Lucky woman!! smile

ok enough about my obssession with him..also Gong Hyo Jin is fast becoming part one of my favorite 3 actresses..I like her immensely. She is pretty and can rock a strong lipcolor...and she also brings her 'A' game!

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Wow, now CSW IS a real sex appeal. Hard to breathe or to say my heart is 'thump thump'?

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That man is a living Google, has it all, Charisma, Good Looks, Talent, a body to die for and a super sexy voice, my God, he should be Korea's Good Will Messenger to help with tourism he is a magnetic force. Bravo for him, talented to the highest level. I am sorry Al Pacino you did step below him... Love your work, Mr. Cha

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best love forever

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the shown here in the philippines only last year and i was attached to cha seung won after watching the greatest love..........

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I dig this guy soooooo much . . . .esp badass . . . oooo his mustache n beard is sexyyyyyyyyy.he shd do it iron man style

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jessica character was good .belljin was very beauty

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