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So last week I asked you guys about your thoughts about the maturity/age difference between drama characters, specifically between Suha and Hye-sung. To me, Suha being in high school was nothing but a different romance DID bother me - in Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, between Chi-soo and Eun-bi. It wasn't so much the age difference as the fact that he was a student and she was his teacher. I found that really, really problematic and not okay, and I was surprised that the DB recaps weren't really troubled by that.
Is this a culture value judgement on my side? Even when I moved all the preconceptions and stuff in my head around, I still wasn't comfortable with it until they took it out of the teacher-student context. What did you guys think?
I Hear Your Voice:
I almost have nothing to say (so watch me say a lot!). Ep 10 left me in a place where I'm not on tenterhooks about anything. Just a few thoughts:
- That little whimper when he realised it was Hye-sung. My heart hurt. It was such a lost, broken, helpless thing, and in that moment it was as if he was tiny Suha next to his dad in the car. :(
- I'm sure he'll get his memory back, but I wonder if Suha will get his mind-reading ability back. That was never a natural ability to start with, so it wouldn't be impossible for that to flash out of his life as fast as it flashed in.
- Is his memory loss more of a fugue? But if he was going to fugue, wouldn't it have made sense that that happened 10 years ago, too? Plus, it would have been brought on by something so traumatic he couldn't handle it sanely. What on earth happened on that dock?
- Ep10 was slower, but I loved the little moments in it - like Choong Ki reading his diary to him, how you could follow up with CK and Seong-bin (I love that she is a nail-artist!), and I'm glad we got more backstory on Attorney Shin's convict friend.
And now: random questions!
1. Girl-bodyguards (i.e. Nana and her colleague in City Hunter): WHY were they always wearing 4-inch heels, WHY? Surely their regulation uniforms would require them to wear something sensibly flat so they can, you know, RUN. SAFELY.
2. What's the reason for dramas shooting so fast and feature films shooting so slowly? Also, is there a good reason why films make more money?
3. How big are korean cockroaches?
4. And because I'm curious and beginning to know 'faces' and I like context: where in the world are you posting from? What other languages do you speak? And because I'm English: what's the weather like? XD
Lastly!
Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting is starting next week. I like to fast from the internet, too, so this is my last OT until next month! Have a good month everyone, enjoy IHYV ending and Master's Sun starting without me!
Shout out to alua and anyone around the London (UK) area: last week, alua suggested meeting up for a movie night at the Korean Cultural Centre in Central London (just off Trafalgar square): is anyone else interested?
Saya, you will be missed! See you next month. Until last week, I was content with Su Ha's lovely crush on Lawyer Jang and wanted it to continue that way but he's doing such a great job of the role that after the kiss, I totally want him to grow up and get her. Right now, yes, too young - but mostly due to his PLACE in life at the moment. When he has more of the trappings of adulthood, the age won't matter to me at all. He has more than proven himself an able and supportive partner for her. I luff him. I luff Cha, too, but it's Su Ha for me, all the way. And it totally WAS NOT...so all credit to LJS for his acting.
I've been pleasantly surprised with LJS's acting. I didn't expect him to be bad, it's just that every time I see him, he's so much better than I expected him to be. In those tiny things - like that whimper. How many people would have nailed that? Happy sigh.
Does anyone know the age difference between lawyer Jang and Su Ha ?I am hoping the writers read our minds when deciding if this romance can become a reality..
"4. And because I’m curious and beginning to know ‘faces’ and I like context: where in the world are you posting from? What other languages do you speak? And because I’m English: what’s the weather like? XD"
Having studied in the UK I must say, you guys really do like to talk about the weather! Atm, its warm at 16 degrees celsius here and looking like its about to rain, though it was sunny earlier. How is it there?
I am from the North of Norway (midnight sun and northern lights!) :D Other languages include german and well, Norwegian. And hoping to get some Mandarin in there as I'm going to China. I would love to be able to do more than the random words I know in Japanese and Korean, but.. Yeah time not adding up :p
Midnight sun and northern lights! Your corner of Norway is so on my list of places I want to spend a few months. Do you get used to it? I went to the coast recently (Cornwall! Amazing!) and a local woman told me she never got used to the sea, because it changes every day.
Yeah you do get used to it. However you still notice it being bright (especially when the sun is shining in your window all night!). And you feel it on the culture as well, with people being out and about walking in the mountains and stuff at all times of the day/night.
And although we have the northern light every winter you still stop to look at it because it is beautiful. and tell people when it is particularity beautiful.
I understand what she means! I live by it, and it really is always changing depending on weather and stuff.
I had an sorta impulse/through through impulse decision of applying to this organization which provides English teaching jobs in China. So I'll be teaching in a kindergarten over there for a year as a gap year between gaining a BA and starting a MA.
Yes that diary-reading scene. Just so so so good. What a wonderful way to deal with the amnesia!
I think Su-Ha lost his memory because he can't deal with the guilt of killing -- note, i do not say "murdering"-- Big Bad. I think Big Bad came at him and he had to defend himself. So A) murdering someone and not being someone who is a cruel person B) breaking a promise to the woman he loves. Post Traumatic Stress.
But but but, do you really believe he's dead? The second the hand turned up, without a body, I was dead certain (uh...pardon the pun) that MJG was definitely not dead and almost certainly framing Suha. I initially thought the memory loss might have come from getting a head injury, but his behaviour and flashes of memory in ep10 made me wonder about the fugue-state thing.
After reading all these comments, now I'm wondering. If Su-ha killed him, then that would be a GOOD reason for the amnesia. But if not...how could MJG KNOW Su-ha would get amnesia? He doesn't have control over someone not knowing or getting amnesia? I can't see him plying Su-Ha with some substance to make the kid forget?
But i think it'd be good if Min-Gook was alive. It would balance everything to make him end up in prison. How did he escape Korea or escape punishment or even escape infection?
If you are predominantly right-handed (and psychopathic), you could conceivably cut off your own left hand. Now doing this while forcing a teenager's hand around the knife might be a leetle more difficult, but it IS Kdramaland.
See, this is what I thought! Especially since they made such a big thing of it being the left-hand murder case. I was talking about this with my friend, too, and we both (separately) theorised that he cut off his own hand to frame Suha, but the fact that Suha lost his memory is just a massive bonus for him that he couldn't have planned for in his wildest dreams. His plan was probably just for the faux-evidence to be indisputable. This has always worked for him before, right?
Not sure what role the grandpa who took him in plays. They seem to be leaving a trail about him, but who knows, it could be a dead end.
I personally didn't really have a problem with the age difference in Ramyun Shop (or Big). I think why people may have a problem with the student-teacher thing is that it could seem like the adult/teacher was in a position to take advantage of the teen/student. I think when the context is such that people no longer see the two as individuals but instead as representations of bigger ideas (innocence, for one) and that the interaction between the two foreshadows or is reminiscent of something taboo. But of course, I'm speaking generally so I can't really comment on the cultural values specific to SK.
I think a difference between IHYV and the other student-older person romances is that Su Ha and Hye Sung knew each other long before and have their own personal history before ever being put in that context. The American show Pretty Little Liars reminds me of this a bit as one the female characters was a high school student who met an older man and started a fling with him and then realized that he was her new English teacher after. Their relationship still continued after that. I didn't have a problem with that either and I don't remember hearing any hoopla over it either (but that could also be because I wasn't reading a boatload of comments about it. If it means anything though, my conservative friend didn't have an a big issue with it).
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IHYV comments: I'm a bit confused. Is Su Ha's mind reading ability a result of the car accident? I thought it was a natural ability before? I wonder if I missed something in the earlier episodes.
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Random ques:
1) I think I read that Nana wearing heels in CH was to make up for the height difference between LMH and PMY. But I agree, it's not practical. In Myung Wol the Spy, Myung wol is Eric's bodyguard and I remember she wore flats.
4) Posting from the US. I speak 1.5 languages because saying one seems boring, haha. And it's pretty hot (should be reaching 90 degrees later in the day) in New York.
Did that happen in PLL as well? I remember that situation in Life Unexpected with Lux and the guy she was dating in the second season, who ended up being her teacher. Didn't have a problem with that, but I did think Lux was irritating and immature the further the series went on.
My FBRS comment is going to go here, but is addressed to also everyone else who discussed it!
Let me clarify about my problem with the initial part of the FBRS romance: there was inappropriate behaviour between a student and teacher AT SCHOOL. I feel like this - appropriate behaviour in an academic setting, especially involving minors - is a value that transcends culture, and from what I've read about East Asian culture, it's not okay in daily life. So that is why I wondered at the lack of reaction to that. I don't take issue with age, or even him being in high school if he is emotionally mature (or at least at the same level as his love interest). I have a problem with that inappropriate behaviour taking place IN school, between a student and his teacher. Just no. So when the series moved on from the school setting later, it took me a while before I could accept it.
I don't think it's perverted - I think it's inappropriate, and should be. There's a place for everything, and school isn't it for this. Even if people have feelings, they shouldn't be acting on them in school. There was a girl in my class at school who had been flirting with a teacher all year, but they got together AFTER she graduated. Like, barely minutes after, but still after. Boundaries exist for good reasons!
Yep, it happened in the early episodes of PLL and in the book as well. And I had a hard time watching Life Unexpected (other members of my family were watching it though). As you said, Lux was increasingly irritating. I was sorta glad when I heard it wasn't coming back.
And your clarification makes sense. I missed that in the first part of your comment. In that sense, I agree with what you're saying. Question, do you have the same feelings toward office romances that take place in the office?
No! Unless there are specific rules againt inter-office dating, which people agree to when they sign their contracts.
It's just school is a completely different context with completely different dynamics, and involving minors and pastoral figures. I don't even think it's problematic at university level. Or anywhere else, pretty much. I'm a big yay for noona-romance, but everything has its place.
I could never get into PLL - I tried the first episode, but the first few minutes defeated me. Come to think of it, I don't know how I stuck it out with Life Unexpected. I have a compulsion to finish things XD One of the few American shows I'm still watching is The Lying Game.
THANK GOODNESS for kdrama, or that'd be the best I got XD
I totally get the inappropriate, that's a good way to describe it in general.
FBRS-I think most people do have issues with a teacher/student personal relationship as a rule. For a teacher, it's an ethical issue. With people in the West, I think it is tied to the thought of a high school student as a child and the older person also being in a position of authority. High School students in the U.S. for example are generally under the age of 18. There is this stereotypical image of an experienced adult seducing a 15 year old kid.
Whether people want to admit it are not, high school students often date people much older than they are. It happens all the time. I'm not saying right or wrong here, I'm just saying that it happens. Should it be happening in a traditional student/teacher situation? Nope, not really a good call.
Most of these K dramas-the student is often over 19 years old. With FBRS, Eun-bi was never in a position of power with Cha Chi-soo. She was a lowly student teacher at a school owned by his father, that lost her position early on in the drama, and the Pillar was running the restaurant. Eun-bi was experiencing a sexual awakening with her attraction to Cha Chi-soo, and I believe she struggled with the age difference.
I think time of life vs. the actual age difference and the position of authority are issues for sure. I however also think about this when we have dramas where the older male is in a position of authority over a younger female, usually in the workplace. It makes for a definite inequality in the relationship. No one has an issue with a young poor woman in the workplace dating a hot rich boss man that has power over her job. Pasta, as much as I love that drama, is a good example of this. People will argue two mature consenting adults are a different animal and there is validity to that. But I will argue that there is little difference in power inequality between a 19 year old student and a teacher, and a boss and employee.
In fact we can look at that in context of FBRS-we have the Pillar in a place of authority of Eun-bi in her OWN home and in her father's Raymun Shop, which was her fall back position with not having a teaching job-she was subject to the Pllar's whims, even as they toyed with a flirtation.
I personally feel the trend in the "noona romance" brilliantly feeds the need for a good fantasy story to the Korean audience. Everyone loves a good rebellion/underdog/starcrossed lovers against the odds story. In a culture where family is the law and social structure is based on age and class hierarchy, and is also a patriarchal society, a younger man dating an older woman and defying all the society rules and their family makes for a a good fairy tale. That's my take anyway.
And really, these two particular examples-FBRS and IHYV-are not about older women seducing boys and abusing positions of authority. I could write multiple thesis on FBRS themes. If the IHYV pairing is anything, it's at the basis the standard Korean trope where the couple is fated from from childhood to be life partners.
And who the heck could resist Cha Chi Soo Mr. Suck Kimchi off your Face Guy anyway? It's a wonder Eun-bi didn't kick off her panties right then and there.
Ha! Great comment, I'm nodding along to it all, and you've recast it for me, too - I forgot about the boss/employee dynamic of FBRS...that does change it. And the lowly trainee status.
I think one of the aspects that made me, hm, uncomfortable? was how Chi Soo clearly ALWAYS had the upper hand on her for most of the first half. This isn't as a criticism - just my feelings as I watched it. I cringed in sympathy through a lot of it XD
Deciding to be okay with liking someone younger than you is hard. All the dramas I've seen exploring that theme have done it brilliantly. I think my favourite of the bunch so far are Dal Ja's Spring, and if IHYV follows it through, that too. Happy sighs!
Mar - This summed up everything I wanted to say about the FBRS dynamic - and far better than I would have. So thanks for saving me the effort!
And holy crap, the kimchi scene. I actually gasped. Then rewound.
Saya - I think you would have an even bigger problem with Biscuit Teacher, Star Candy, so avoid that one. Also, in FBRS, they met first outside of school and she thought he was 12 years older, so that was her first impression of him before she had to readjust to the other dynamic.
Ignore what I said about Biscuit Teacher if you want to watch it. Personally it didn't bother me because he was an older "returning" senior and kind of a special case due to his family and behavioral issues. Orrr it could just be that I knew Gong Yoo is a year older than Gong Hyo Jin! :)
I'll second robin on Biscuit Teacher. It's very good. Age differences are the last thing that bother me in dramas, but I will admit I struggled with this drama at first because of the teacher/student aspect. However the cast is so engaging they drew me in and I am so glad I gave it a chance. The beginning of the drama starts out a little odd with some fantasy elements, but settles down to an interesting and charming drama about coming of age/learning who you are and who you want to be, at different points of life, for the different characters. I thought it was too long...it rehashed some of the angst way too much, but over all a good watch.
Just posted a message and it didn't go through, so I'm trying again ..... sorry if you see it twice.
1. Girl-bodyguards ..... I'm going to assume it's for "look" only ..... I mean, how can you minimize the risk of twisted ankles or broken bones while sprinting in fashionable Jimmy Choo's!
1. Girl-bodyguards (i.e. Nana and her colleague in City Hunter): WHY were they always wearing 4-inch heels, WHY?
That's a question I would like to ask for just about any drama heroine in any situation – I swear the high heels (and the height of the heels) make NO sense in about 99% of situations.
Though I'll admit that I never wear (and never will wear) high heels, because I'm comfy shoes, I'm walking/cycling/running kinda girl. (All my shoes are flats.)
What’s the reason for dramas shooting so fast and feature films shooting so slowly? Also, is there a good reason why films make more money?
Quality requires slower shooting. Also, TV dramas you consume quickly (you watch one episode one day, one the next, then they are off the TV and most of the time you won't ever rewatch), which also means we'll be more forgiving with many aspects on TV that we won't with film – so yet more time has to be put into films to ensure quality (expectations are higher on all levels).
Films simply are the sort of things that are often meant to last longer and rewatched (I think of it in the sense that films are more timeless than TV – the films that are truly outstanding, we'll watch 50, 70 years on, but most TV dramas won't have a life expectancy of more than some months or a few years – though the internet and easier accessibility is changing this to some extent).
Why do they make more money? I guess because you can build a whole business around them over the months that they first screen at festivals, then in cinemas, then sell as DVDs. You can make them into a brand that lasts (say, Disney or Studio Ghibli have a lot of commerce - toys, pencils, artbooks, etc. – that they can sell). If you are lucky you can pull this off with TV dramas too, particularly those that have long runs (e.g. Dr. Who). Also because there is more money put in from the start, because the status is higher and expectations too, and film actors may have a higher status – it all spins more money. I don't have the presence of mind to explain it eloquently (it's Friday!), but, basically, I think the time factor, the way we consume film vs. TV and the quality criterion make the difference.
Regarding the KCCUK movie: they are screening Failan on July 11th (Year of Four Actors Season) and 깊은밤 갑자기 (Suddenly in the Dark of Night, 1981) on July 18 (Women on Screen season).
Posting from London, as you already know. I'm not British but a globe-trotting expat for life with an EU passport. Languages are on my ABOUT page on the blog. Weather... you know :-)
We'll miss you, but welcome you back with open arms!
Ha! I'm with you alua. I remember when I was still watching That Winter, I kept wondering why they kept having Oh Young wear those ridiculously high pumps, especially when she was walking along icy, snow covered roads.
In Alice in Wonder City (TW) they had a dance / musical performance were all the dancers were barefoot except the lead actress (in high heels). It was a fairly short scene (more like an epilogue) but it was just like... that makes NO sense!
Like they had a contract with some high heels company?!?
"(All my shoes are flats.)"
Amen! Me, too. I can't just not run in heels, I can't even STAND in them.
THANK YOU for the detailed answer about film vs TV - I've always wondered, and never really knew who to ask. I haven't watched more than a handful of films since I started watching kdrama...the format of the short series and the quality of the storytelling are so perfect for me that I can't bring myself to watch anything else just yet.
Re: KCCUK: I'm not going to make anything before mid-August, but I'll check out their schedule and see what's happening later. Then we can work something out, hopefully!
I'll miss everyone too, and look forward to coming back!
I wouldn't know, I have never owned a pair of heels and probably the last time I wore any was for 2 minutes playing dress-up as a child with my mom's heels (which were like 2 cm heels).
I only own like 7 pairs of shoes (2 running, 1 flip flop, 1 sports sandals, 1 summer flats, 1 winter boots, 1 winter shoes). The closet of shoes.... also not me.
The KCCUK schedule is on their website (or you can sign up for the Film Night newsletter); I post image widgets for the KCCUK screenings on the sidebar of my blog too, plus there's a monthly event post which I try to make as comprehensive as possible --> some people tell me I'm better informed about K/J film events in the UK than anyone else.
Anyhow, just give me a shout in August when you're back online.
I hate heels cause when you take photos that is a bugger to climb around in. I crawl and jump and climb stuff when I am out on a photo spree.
I need ninja sandals.
Enjoy your holiday and thanks for the questions. I have to think a bit before replying back.
As for weather, I am in NY close to Canada and it has been more chilly than usual (65-75 degrees F) with more rain than needed. I hoping it will warm up a bit for the garden to really bloom.
Hi Saya,
Answer for the 4th question :)
I'm from Hungary and the weather... well hot as hell as always in the summer: 31-35°C and no rain, and barely any wind.
I speak 3 languages apart from my mother tongue. English, German and Korean.
And a month away from the internet... my respect :D
#3 If Korean cockroaches are the same as Japanese ones then they're usually between three to five centimetres long, browny-orange in colour, and the buggers FLY.
Ramadhan Mubarak to you too! AND I'm from England too so you know what the weather is like here (always carry an umbrella, hehe)
In terms of the conflict of teacher / student storylines, there have been many debates on DB OT. I can't remember which ones but I do remember that there was one during the time FBRS aired. What I took away from those discussions is that you've got to take a step back as per the ethics of cultural relativism so that we don't fall into ethnocentrism. Furthermore, this is TV, where storylines are given more leniency just for the sake of drama and conflict set-up. I remember the same debates sprouting up during (reveals age) Dawson's Creek first run. If I could make a little more clearer for you, it's like as a practising Muslim, you probably don't believe in pre-marital sex and dating BUT still you watch dramas that have these things and it doesn't throw you as much because well, you accept it within the meta of what the drama has set-up; you don't judge people by the values that you have chosen for yourself but rather you view them according to their own parameters and principles.
In terms of FBRS, they do distance themselves because he is actually a lot older and (spoiler) they leave the school setting to Ramyun Shop so I guess employer - employee rules come in and I guess rules governing work place ethics come in, but I digress. I don't think it romanticized the controversy, and I do understand your concerns especially considering the Jeremy Forrest case going on here in England right now.
All I will say is that I understand why it would make people uncomfortable but I always get why people wouldn't mind, and still wouldn't be considered 'perverted' or sick because this is TV and rules governing TV and reality aren't the same, there's more leniency given just for the sake of creative space but I do also get that in some instances people are influenced by media and sometimes these things can lead to romanticising issues in real life that shouldn't be, such as the whole 'jerky' behaviour of some Korean drama male lead roles. It's more of a grey area on TV than the kind of black and white of real life. Oh, and you should probably stay away from Biscuit teacher and star candy, even though it a favourite of mine.
I decided to write about the FBRS thing in a few comments above (to save repeating myself 20 squillion boring times t everyone, ha), but I basically answered my own question and decided that particular value transcended your basic cultural milieu to generalise to every cultural milieu. Or something.
I actually wanted to watch Biscuit Teacher to see if I felt differently about it if it were *done* differently. And I just remembered Never Been Kissed, which possibly isn't actually even relevant XD
I think on the whole, creative media holds up a mirror to our real lives and real values. That's why the argument of it being fictional and therefore okay I find ultimately weak, if not actually facetious. Fiction is a way of exploring new ground, but most of the social limitations, strictures and values we hold in the present apply in a very similar way regardless. But that's a topic for another day! I'm beyond sleepy right now!
Of course I agree that just because it's fiction doesn't mean that it's automatically ok. I just meant that because it's not a documentary on real life the viewpoint or reference point isn't social convention or a certain argument but rather the character's point of view. In FBRS, I liked the way that they dealt with it because you see her reaction to the set up change too as well as his.
In terms of milieu and fiction I find that the issue tends to be specific. Just like in real life, actually, to put it succinctly, all elephants are grey but not all grey things are elephants.
Give biscuit teacher a go if it's on your list because I think it handled the development of characterizations well within its own parameters.
Oh, I know you didn't mean that! I was kind of arguing out loud to myself, in your space. I do that a lot, sorry! But no aggro intended whatsoever! Damn internet. Makes mellow things look aggro-ey.
I'll come back with thoughts about Biscuit Teacher once I've watched it, I'm curious to see how it will play out.
And now, I'm curious to see how my bed feels like. I think my eyeballs are about to fall out of my head.
Yes, tone is so hard to present in writing. I think I'm just used to people being offensive and offended at the same time on the internet. No one debates anymore but I did give you the benefit of the doubt because of your insight and intelligence.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Biscuit teacher once you get around to it. : )
Wishing you well, sweet dreams and a blessed Ramadhan.
Hi Sabah! : ) I'm sorry I didn't reply anymore last week; my retake on my exam was coming on and I had to focus on that. But now it's summer break at last! I just wanted to say hello before I'm off enjoying my free time in Wales. Next OT I'm hopefully enjoying myself in some really beautiful place : ) Wishing you a wonderful week with lots of sun and smiles!
Hi! I don't usually post on DB a lot and usually never on the OT, but I suddenly felt like trying today. So here goes...
With the age difference b/w Su-Ha and Hye-Sung I actually don't mind it at all (I haven't watched the 2 latest episodes yet and I skipped any info you wrote about that so excuse me ^^)
I just went with the thought that they could be a couple after he grows up a few more years (say, be in his twenties) then I would be fine with it. And they also knew each other when they were kids so that helps settle my mind (for some reason unbeknownst to me).
The thing with Chi-Soo and Eun-Bi being student/teacher also bothered me. But after she began taking care of the ramen shop full time I was okay with it. I was actually a high school student during the time the drama was airing so I don't know if that plays a part in my way of thinking?
It's a drama anyway so I'm not bothered by it. Besides, Chi-Soo and Eun-Bi are only 6 years apart. My parents are 12 years apart (my mom married when she was 27) so when I see a couple with a big age difference, it doesn't bother me. :) I think any age difference is okay as long as both persons are legal adults with a mature mentality and are in somewhat similar times in their life.
On to the questions!!!
1. 100% AGREE! I can't even walk, let alone run, in 2-inch heels so forget about 4-in. Sneakers for life! I have yet to see a drama (that I watched) where the girl has been put into a role which she is properly dressed for.
3. Why? What have you heard? 0.o
4. I am posting from Long Island(that's part of New York) which has been my home ever since I was a toddler when I moved from Pakistan!
I speak English, Urdu, Punjabi and a little bit of basic Korean from what I've picked up from shows and music! I spent 5 years in school learning Spanish and I still don't understand any of it! ^-^
The weather is ugly and hot. I refuse to step foot outside ever since yesterday when I ventured out to do a little shopping with my parents for college and went with my friend's family to see the fireworks show. We walked forever and I now have blisters on my feet and it still hurts when I walk around inside. >.<
I'm also Muslim so I will also fast starting on the 8th of this month. :D I've never heard of fasting from the internet so that interesting.
Hi Feather! Looks like I've found a close DB-er, haha :). I know what you mean with the weather back here, the AC has been continuously on in my home. I think age might have a tiny bit to do with the acceptance of the age-difference and student/teacher relationship in FBRS. I was also a high schooler at the time and I didn't really bother me. I bet I had ulterior reasons at the time, ha.
I'm entering college this fall and out of curiosity, is this your second year in college and do you go to school instate?
This is going to be my first year and yes, I will be going to school instate. :) Are you going to stay on long island or farther away. I'm going to be in Albany. I must prepare for the cold!!! >._.>
I can understand those ulterior motives you speak of. I also had them but I never admitted it! Hehe. ;)
For some reason some the entire middle part of my comment was erased so I'm going to attempt to recall what I wrote and post this:
Yay! I didn't know there was someone nearby who also liked k-dramas and read recaps on DB! It's nice to meet you! :D
The weather really is icky. you're lucky, you have an A/C! My parents haven't bothered installing it yet. :( But thankfully I live on the first floor of my building so it's not that bad. There is a nice breeze coming in through the windows, but I still won't go outside because of the humidity.
Now that I look back, I don't think any part of the comment that was erased had any substance or reason for me to retype. -_- I'm sorry, I'm blabbering. But do reply! I'd love to talk to you more. :)
Ooh! It's going to be my first year as well, guess that means we're about the same age? I was wondering if maybe the Drama Gods would have us go to the same college, ha. I live in Brooklyn (so not *that* close). I'll be staying in the city for school.
I haven't really been outside recently. If it wasn't for work, I would've been home all week. At least there was AC there! Gah, I really hope that AC of yours gets installed soon! And don't apologize, youre not blabbering! And even if you were, I would chalk it up to the heat lol.
Sorry for the super late reply. After I saw that Monstar Ep 7 was only at 1% earlier, I decided to take a nap to speed up the process lol and well I woke up to it being at 95% so yay!
Then it must be 100% subbed by now! I still haven't seen it yet. I think I'll see it after I finish watching the latest two episodes of IHYV as a palate cleanser cuz I think I'm going to feel a bit depressed afterwards. So cute Monstar will help me feel better. :3
Aw, I think the heat is more concentrated in the city than in the suburbs so I'm sorry you have to venture out in that kind of weather. :(
If only the drama gods allowed us to go to the same school! Then we could dissect our dramas over lunch or something. I can only dream. :(
Yeah! It's been 100% subbed for a few hours now. I had to go run some errands so I'm only getting to watch it now. Man, I thought it wouldve cooled down my now but I returned home sweaty and I wasn't even outside for that long ><.
Definitely catch up with those episodes lol. Monstar will help return the warm fuzzies afterwards! I'm trying to add more fluffy rom-coms to my drama list this week because I know I'm going to go through some stuff when I start HC and in the next episodes of IHYV.
I know right :(. Darn, Drama Gods. I have yet to find a friend who likes dramas as much as I do AND is willing to analyze and discuss it with me.
Ah well, we can always discuss on the OT! :D
I think I'll start posting on the OT now, instead of just reading the comments. :) I've actually been obsessing over a manga I've been reading so I kinda put off watching the episodes yesterday. XD I'm going off to watch them after I post this comment. So then I'll be prepared to discuss/analyze them with you now or during next OT. Whichever you prefer. :)
I haven't watched any of that drama because I wasn't willing to commit to a drama that long. I always just read snippets about it on the OT. From the screencaps I agree that she seems to dress normally. It's a nice change from looking at an actress wear a necklace made out of teddy-bears. :) I'm going to have to look up that outfit you mentioned. Which episode is it from?
It looks just a little too edgy, too punk for her. It looks like something you'd wear in magazine photo shoot, but not really in real life, where she's putting up a pretty & perfect actress façade.
Haha, I like to spend my time doing unworldly things at least during Ramadan. Otherwise I will become a spiritual black hole. It's like going on a retreat without having to go anywhere - the retreat comes to you. I go no internet, no TV, no books. Just Qur'an and praying and the necessaries, and ugh work. It's the time of year I reset emotionally as well - like starting over. New plans, new goals, new me. Like that :D I love it. Best time of year ever, and don't want to use a moment of it unwisely.
Thanks for answering my nosy questions!
re: 3: I was wondering if their cockroaches are like Bangladesh ones - enoooormous and horrible and please can I just die now XD
I'm going to talk FBRS in a diffeent post, so I don't repeat myself a squillion times, ha!
Wow. What you do is very respectable. I don't think my family would be able to do it though. My dad's on his laptop (actually he's asleep in front of it while the cricket game(that's what it sounds like) plays (aha, that was a pun!)) and my brother is playing videogames. -_-
I could never put down a good book if I found one! It's impossible! You should have seen the hell I put my parents through during the Harry Potter series when I was 12. During bedtime, I used to hide under the covers and read by the light of a cell phone because I couldn't find a flashlight! :)
I've read almost all of your comments so I understand. You don't have to repeat yourself. Or if you already answered a question someone else posted you could always tell them the comment number for them to search it up. :)
You should try it, just one time! I think people I know always start with switching off the TV. They allow themselves to watch the news and stuff, but forgo everything else.
I really mean it about how much it clears your head, your slate, your souuulllll. I know it's not easy for everyone, but one thing at a time! It just fills your Ramadan up with so much more barakah, even if it's reading a few pages of Qur'an a day that you usually don't, or catching the taraweeh on TV. And it's not forever: just a month! You'll feel like a new person at the end.
Ha, sorry for waxing lyrical! I just truly love this time of year so much. I don't even care it's an 18-hour fast. It's worth it.
I forgot about the comment numbers! Thanks for the tip!
I agree! This is my favorite time of the year! It makes it better when you have all of your family with you. Unfortunately, the rest of my family lives in Pakistan and Dubai. So it's not as nice without them. My favorite memories growing up are helping my mom, aunts, and cousins set up the table for everyone to eat. I was usually tasked with making the chaat. ^-^
Yay! Another Long Islander! I live in Nassau. Ohh, you've lived in Italy? How is it? It's on my bucket list of world travels for when I grow up, make a little money, and go globe-trekking with my friend. :)
The whole teacher/student thing in dramas, really has never bother me because I know in my head they are all adults on real life. Plus the way the charectrs behave plays into it. In IHYV Soo-ha seems to have lived a lot for a kid his age & also makes her a better person with his actions. While in Flower boy Ramen shop they both acted like kids soo I kept hoping they mature together ( I still haven't finish it).
Weather in AZ = hot last weekend we hit 119 which is about 50 Celsius it was hot & horrid. This week it's been at 100 +
And I just heard some thunder... Wtf I should probably look out my window.
How many languages do I speak? 2 fluently English & Spanish. I took 4 years of French in high school so I understand it if spoken slowly, 2 years of Italian so same deal. Since I can understand all the roman languages I decided to try my hand my hand Japanese, I'm loving it. Then I'm also slowly learning both Korean & Mandarin Chinese from my friends... Sooo yes.. Next ill tackle German but it won't b anytime soon.
Hi from Brussels, Belgium here :3 The weather here is pretty similar to the English weather - rainy, most of the time. I speak four languages (Dutch, English, Mandarin Chinese and French) (almost) fluently, and I know a handful of German (Belgium supposedly being a trilingual country and all).
I think the main problem with age difference is the imbalance in the relationship. Like, when one is a teacher or a working adult and one is a student, they seem to be in different stages of their lives and one seems to have more 'power' than the other. They also have a different amount of life experience. But that's only from an outsider's perspective. If two people are on the same wavelength and expect the same from a relationship, I don't see why it couldn't work. Of course, this may have some ethical implications from a professional point of view (like teacher-student: you can't trust the teacher not to play 'favourites' with own their girlfriend/boyfriend when giving out grades.)
Which is probably why people are more comfortable with the idea of two 'adults' dating, even if they have a significant age difference, rather than a working adult and a high school student with the same age difference. Being at a different 'stage' in your life does make a difference.
I laughed out loud at your City Hunter comment, Saya. This is something that bothers me every time I watch that drama! Though it goes beyond "Why does Nana wear heels on the job?" and directly in to "How the hell does a presidential bodyguard get away with moonlighting in half a dozen other side jobs?" :P
I love City Hunter, but as I've said before, it had holes Optimus Prime could walk through. One being Kim NaNa in her silly heels as a secret service agent. Those kinds of jobs, they recruit from the military, and also she'd never pass the security clearance-her debt issues would put her at risk for coercion. Seriously, all they had to do was give her a military background and set up her debt issues to be recent, and hey WAY more plausible. And can the damn hump me pumps.
Hi Saya! Happy Ramadan (and good luck in this weather).
For your question, I'm from NY, an Indian, and the weather is mighty hot (or as hot as NY can get, lol).
Btw, could you please write something like "WARNING SPOILER" from here on whenever you discuss dramas in a little more detail because I haven't watched ep 10 of I hear Your Voice yet. I'd appreciate that. :)
Ha! the older woman, high school student relationship. As a high school teacher I must agree with you. I can't imagine having a relationship with one of my students. Even after they leave high school. I honestly treat them like my children. But last year a male teacher was fired from our school for having a relationship with an 18 year old female student. He was fired, the authorities were contacted, but no charges were filed because she was 18 and her parents refused to pursue the matter to keep the peace in their house.
However, outside of the school context, I can tell you my brother's first wife was 7 years older than him. They met when he was 17 years old. My parents were not thrilled, but they kept their mouths closed because they knew it would be worse if they opposed it. My parents even paid for the wedding. They were married when he turned 21 and stayed married for 7 years. At that time she was 35 yrs old and he was worried about having children, but she told him that she had decided never to have children, not even though adoption. So they divorced and they both remarried two years later (to different people). She died last year from a lung infection. Believe it or not they remained friends till the end, talking once or twice a year. When my niece was born she sent gifts. It was very civilized.
I don't think anyone in my family, or even my brother, ever regretted the marriage. It was an important part of his life. So no, I personally do not have a problem with an older woman, young man relationship (as long as they are not my students!)
BTW, I am from Puerto Rico. My main language is Spanish, but I am an English teacher.
In most cases the age difference in k-dramas does not bother me much, perhaps because in most cases the "high school" students are actually in their 20's.
The only time I really had big issues with it was in a K-movie called "My Little Bride", where the grandfather forces an arranged marriage between a teacher and a barely 16 year old high school student.
I stopped watching that one too as soon as I realized the age of the characters. There was another one...that was well... RACY, let's say. A movie where the male was 17 AFTER she got out of jail. I watched the first bit until I figured out the ages and powered off. For those curious, that movie was Green Chair or something like that.
IIRC he is 18 after her coming out of jail and just a few days away from getting legal. Not that this info would change anything and make Green Chair a good movie. ;)
I liked The Green Chair. I thought it was an interesting character study that reveals people and circumstances are not always as they seem.
SPOILER- The film opens with the viewer thinking the woman is the dominant one in the relationship, as she is older (she's 32) and sexually experienced. As the story develops it reveals that the young man (he's 19) highly influences the woman and is in fact the dominant personality in the relationship. The film looks at the impact of having an affair with a 19 year old on the woman's life (pretty much ruined), the impact the passion of lust and love when there is an attraction between two (consenting) people that is outside societies norms, what happens when reality kicks in, and IS it just lust, a forbidden thrill, was it worth it, and if it is love, is it worth it?
A big thanks to everyone who so generously shared where they were writing from, and more! I hope everyone else found it as fun and interesting as I did.
Hmmm I'm from Singapore and I speak Chinese, English, Cantonese, and the l weather is practically hot and humid everyday (think 32 degrees) and always rains.
you'll be missed sorely! :(
oh yes the bodyguards. I nvr noticed that. And yes, it makes absolutely no sense to protect a VIP, in HEELS as thick as my sandwich. :D
How is the recaps going? I am so sad I haven't had time to get around to read your TEN2 recaps. But real life has been a bit tricky lately, so haven't even gotten around to watch the episodes myself!
Hello Marin! I still have eps 10, 11, 12 to do. TEN2 has many faults, which is unfortunate. But I still like the show overall. Watch it when you have time!
Yeah I didn't feel as addicted to it as the first season. Still want to watch it though. I think I'm at ep 6 or something. The first case when all the group is back together again at least.
Ohayou/konichiwa/konbanwa minasan! I have to hurry and write this, since I need to hit the sack early tonight to catch an 8:10 AM Shinkansen to Tokyo, where I will be spending my last few days before flying back to SFO on Monday. And honestly, I am soooo ready to return home. Not that I haven't had such an AWESOME TIME in Korea and Japan; it's just that this tired old soul needs to get her life back on track and find a new job that will allow her a decent salary to ensure 'Trips Of A Lifetime' (like this one) keep continuing. And if the planets harmonically converge again, mark my words I will return this time next year for more fun and merriment!!!
Hope everyone had a great 4th of July back in the States! It was weird being in another country that doesn't celebrate such events, but I made up for that situation by chowing down on a MOSBurger "All-American Burger" earlier today. It was goooooooooood. The matcha latte that accompanied obviously was not traditional, but also still good. Slack should be cut. :)
But most importantly because it is 5 July for a few more hours here, HAPPY 27TH BIRTHDAY TO JI CHANG WOOK!!! We did the whole cake-presenting early at the fan meeting on 22 June, and I understand a proper celebration for My Precious will happen during the curtain call of the 'The Days' performance tonight in Daejeon. Pictures should be flooding my inbox shortly! ♥
And my review of 'The Days,' you may ask? AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! I wasn't expecting such a heavy singing and physical role from My Precious, but he BROUGHT IT in spades to the production! He has such a bright tenor voice that did justice to his devil-may-care character, but I didn't expect his Mu-young persona to pretty much mirror what he's like in real life. (Without the whole 'dying to protect your country' at the end of the show, of course. *tears up* ) Poor baby was so overcome during his last encore that he started crying and couldn't utter a single note. Of course, we were all sobbing by the time the curtain came down for the last time. *tears up again* Good job, Changwook-ssi… you should be proud!
I saw both performances on 30 June, but I was not impressed with Kim Jung-hwa's delivery in the matinee - I felt she was just phoning it in for her last show. For the evening performance, Bang Jin-eui was definitely more suited for that 'ingenue' role and she had WAY more chemistry with JCW (and you could tell he emoted better with her as well). Anyway, more detailed criticism/fangirling will be blogged as soon as I return, collect my scrambled thoughts and pictures, and come down off of Cloud Nine accordingly.
So it's time to unfold the futons for the last time in Japan Standard Time and try to sleep more than the standard 3-4 hours I've been getting over the past two weeks. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you all next week!!
Just a brief shoutout to everyone watching obsessing over Heartless City (aka my favorite drama of the year so far!) 8D
I've dropped everything else (YTBLSS, ISYG, Monstar, Shark and didn't even finish JOJ yet) and is only faithfully following HC and The Queen's Classroom. But when I do get time, I'm planning to check out IHYV because clearly it's really the talk of the moment right now. Do I start it now or just catch up later when it finishes???
As for watching IHYV (or any drama) now or later, I guess that depends on what works best for you.
For example, if you watch now, you can jump right in on the discussions regarding the drama in a "real-time" sort of way, if that makes sense .... what I mean is, there's no prolonged "delay time" between when you watched a drama and when you're discussing it with everyone else who watched it at the same time you did.
You can also watch "off schedule"(later in the month, year, whenever), either because it fits your own schedule better and/or because you chose to watch a drama when it is broadcast in your area. In this case, you can still discuss it/comment on it, of course (like here in OT) ..... the only drawback is that other people have watched it already or are episodes ahead.
queen's classroom is on my list! So is heartless city. I love that kim ssi kid ( I think she's called sae rom?) I'm somewhat anxious about seeing all those kid actors grow up. I mean I knew I was old before but rewatching iljimae ( lee joonki) and then seeing the moon embracing the sun really makes me feel old.
Welcome!!! But but but, why drop Monstar?? Sorry I have 3 current loves 1 Heartless city 2. IHYV 3. Monstar. So just like to hear people's reasons for dropping something I love :)
Hello Everybody~Watching and Loving IHYV,but the last episode was really slow.Currently addicted to my first daily drama Ugly Alert.I normally stay away from dailies because of the length but this is so fast paces and I can't really find a weak link in the acting department and I'm loving the heroine so much.So,any good daily drama recommendation?
Happy Friday OT family !!
DarkSmurf has subs (up to ep 6 is edited but the rest is machine translated)but I have my subs from Soompi which is more accurate.The weird title aside,the drama is actually pretty good..
Hello everyone!
Recently I've been rewatching Delightful Girl Choonhyang and it holds it's spot as one of my favorite "old" dramas. It just feels good to pop it in the dvd player and rewatch anytime. I also rewatched My Love Patzii, which isn't that good technically but I LOVE IT. It's like my comfort drama.
In other news, I watched Man of Steel in theaters and slightly obsessed with Henry Cavill's face now.
Every sageuk I watch makes me obsess about hair ornaments, hanbok and so on. I went on a hunt online and on the ground for traditional women's hanbok, but couldn't find anything, sigh.
I haven't watched DGCH yet, but I did just watch Story of Hyang Dan which I really enjoyed! You could feel the Arang-and-the-Magistrate roots in it, too. I personally would have loved it if it had been expanded into a longer drama, because it felt more like a highlights reel, but it was still a lot of fun. Especially the singing trio, IS. I laughed out loud when they turned up!
Yeah same, also with the modern hanboks of Goong I really want to make an moderish honbok inspired dress.
I think I found a site which explained some of the hanbok's and the status of them (especially in sageuk) and also on the different hair ornaments, hats and wiggs used. I shall see if I can find it again!
That singing trio is awesome! I loved that show and all its parodies all over. It sorta made me think of the different books of Terry Pratchett in that regard.
Though I'm with you that it would be fun to see a longer version, I am happy that it was short. I'd rather wish for more and have it be too long if it makes sense?
I hated delightful girl choonhyang ( as well as attic cat until I rewatched it recently) Can you tell me what you like so much about it? All I think of ch is that her life was ruined by meeting that guy.
Totally late reply, but I think it was partly the nostalgia element. It was one of my first dramas. I also think Jae Hee's performance was really good. I could understand why you would hate it though, the second leads were terrible and it dragged near the end. I thought it was still a cute and upbeat drama though with a memorable OST.
Ep 12 of Cruel City should be up shortly if it isn't already! Follow the link in the name! Still so obsessed with this show that I can't think of much else but...Monstar and I Hear Your Voice continue to grab me in a very good way.
I saw the first episode (part of, want to finish this morning) Blade and Petal and wow. Stunning to see, and a sucker for the trick shot stuff anyway. The music is too loud but I don't mind the musical choices at all. Uhm Tae Woong looks a bit younger here than normal (skin is better) but still too old to be Choi Min Soo's son. Like him, though. Like it all.
Like everyone, deeply mourning the loss of DC-Net. That was my go-to for movies and J-Doramas and often the first place to have an episode of something I was watching. Loved how items on the list of 'watching' would move up or down to alert me that it was there, or had been subbed. Sad day.
Ok, gotta run. Some work to do, but I am 'off' so I'll be drama-watching in a bit!
It is a sad day to see DC-net being gone.. I have heard about some of the controversy over stolen subs, however it was the first site I ever found to watch drama's and I did like it a lot.
Does anyone actually know what happened? I know they denied it being a money issue, but a "changing scenery in dramaland" sounded a bit vague. And know theories is dramafever being behind the closing.
If you do a Google search, you can see a series of links that are labeled something like "this website has been taken down due to a DMCA complaint, to read more click here" and it takes you to a report where you can see who filed copyright claims against an individual website. So, I know that DF is coming up in this discussion, but they're not the only ones filing copyright claims. Many of the claims are coming from the original broadcast networks in Korea and Japan, which is understandable as it is their content. I just find it a little frustrating because unlike kdramas, which are becoming available more and more in the U.S. especially within the last few years, jdramas remain unavailable. You would think with the massive popularity of Japanese popular culture in the U.S. that someone would have expanded into this market. Missed opportunities people!
Japan for some reason is WAY behind the curve on licensing and subbing the J-dramas and movies. I think that some are finally starting to move after seeing the success (and competition) from K-dramaland and Taiwan, but they have been very late to the race.
Which is a shame really, as in many cases the J-dramas are often better (or at least with a LOT less Makjang and over-the-top dramatics).
I read someplace a while back that the US is the 4th largest market for Taiwan made movies - Hong Kong was the biggest, but I suspect that includes tons of blackmarket material actually ending up in China. **
** Interesting factoid about China: Back in the Bad Old Days (pre 1990'ish) in China, Teresa Teng was a very famous singer from Taiwan, but her songs were banned in China. At the end of 1990, it was estimated by one observer that over 1.2 Billion blackmarket copies of her songs existed in China.
I know that some of the companies that bring anime over to the U.S. also obtain the licensing for jmovie distribution, so I don't even think it's as much of an issue with films, though they are probably somewhat limited in variety. However, there is still silence on the drama front. (And, to a large extend, the music front. That is another thing I don't understand, since the demand in the U.S. market for jpop and jrock is pretty high.)
I agree about it being a shame that jdramas haven't found their way stateside, but disagree on the jdramas are better than kdramas front. I know people periodically get into these debates, but I think that jdramas and kdramas have different selling points, and that within each area there are stronger dramas and weaker dramas. It's like comparing apples and oranges - they're both fruit, but they're not the same fruit, and some people may prefer one over the other but neither is inherently better.
My heart broke seeing DramaCrazy shut down....definitely the first site I go to for dramas. But hey, as long as I get my free subbed dramas elsewhere, I cans till be happy, lol.
The "Changing Scenery" referred to the fact that when DC and similar sites first started up, companies like Hulu, Amazon streaming, Netflix etc. did not exist or were in their infancy. When I first started with Hulu, you could count the number of Korean/Asian movies and dramas on one hand (not counting the vintage, very badly dubbed HK Kung-Fu stuff). Hulu, Amazon, and Netflix now have hundreds or thousands or foreign (not just Asian) movies and TV dramas - and they paid for the rights for those.
Hate them or not, Drama Fever was one of the few to see the potential and get legal licensing rights - something that DC, MuSoju, and other now defunct sites failed to see apparently. DC also screwed up by being far too lax in what was uploaded - there were many examples of them ripping off legally subbed versions, and not only from DramaFever, but also from MBC.
One obvious problem though is that the licensing rights are usually only for certain regions, such as North America. So if you live someplace else, you might be out of luck for now. Supposedly DF has gotten licensing for Australia/NZ & Brazil, but not much else. The Euro zones are a total mess because of the legal issues there - even giants such as Microsoft have problems there.
Okay, I had a bit of time on my hands and marathoned Cruel City to include ep 12. I am officially IN!! It is not my favorite, but it seems so...dark and adult but not in an oppressive way. Nice an twisty but is may be getting a bit too twisty - who is a cop, who is not, who is a bad guy, who is not, etc.
Also, this is the second time I have seen a twisted, evil, childish leader (reminiscent of the baddie in K2H). Both had my skin crawling.
Re: Blade and Petal. It's GORGEOUS for sure, but it's funny how there is so much music in the first half and then it went all quiet (not totally quiet, but the music felt more subdued) in the second half that I fell asleep during CMS and UTW's scene. That 80's jam is definitely one that cracked me up. Probably the only laugh I got from this otherwise serious show.
The DC thing ruined my Tuesday. I was so sad :( I was visiting/enjoying that site since 2009. Everything (okay almost) was there in alphabetical order and Speedy Joe. I'll miss it.
Although, I heard a rumor why it was shut down. People say that Dramafever (which had an issue over Level 7 with Dramabeans as well if I remember well) want to monopolise the KDrama online watching industry and make people to pay for watching an episode. It's just a rumor, but that would be a depressing future....
I wonder if df will ever succeed. I think fans will always be trying to find away to circumvent that. Even if it means they need to make new sites over and over and over again.
For the time being, I've mostly switched to watching shows with Chinese subs. They're so easy to find (and fast!)
There are probably always fans who will go for whatever the cheapest option is. However, DF is limiting their full possible success by dividing the drama community, providing low quality subs, and behaving in an unprofessional manner in their business model (no I am not talking about copyright claims here, though certainly going after review blogs over copyright is a bullying tactic that will garner them no favors). Not only do you have DF blog posts like the one during the PSH rape investigation asking fans to vote on whether he was guilty or not (which is a call back to all the less reputable news sites out there nowadays which poll on things that really don't need polling), but you have them pulling moves like using MySoju in their advertising after they got it shut down. Or the conflict with certain fansub groups. This is bad PR and bad business. I think the model could succeed in more capable hands.
In contrast, YA Entertainment always had a really great relationship with fans. I found Dramabeans through them, and they sent personal responses to drama requests. That was a kdrama business done right. I am so sad they had to close down.
Sometimes there is no option. I CAN'T watch dramafever, and I can't watch most of Viki either.
I'm the first one to buy DVD for films if they are available. I've sometimes waited for months when even when a film had been uploaded somewhere online when I thought it *stood a chance* (not even certain, but just a possibility) of being screened at a festival or in the cinema within the next year or two.
Honestly, I think many aspects of copyright should be reconsidered with the era of the internet / digitisation now – dramas/films/music/books etc. SHOULD be available to everyone everywhere in the world and access should be reasonable.
Aside from the legal and copyright issues, where I think that DF is in the right, DF has a lot of other issues that they really need to address pretty soon.
As you mentioned, their interaction with fans and customers has been "iffy" at best. Their quality control on subbing some of the less popular movies and dramas has been abysmal. Their HULU app has sucked for the past several months. The rape case blogging thing was just downright stupid on their part. Their servers sometimes have speed and sync issues, especially during prime viewing hours.
I really wish that DF would get their act together on the technical and subbing side, or get taken over by someone more competent.
@alua - I understand what you are saying about not being in a region where DF and Viki are available. My comment on the "cheapest option" was in response to Saturtledaisy's speculation that drama fans will always try to find ways to circumvent the system. It was not meant to be critical of those who do not have access. I was just suggesting that out of DF's potential pool of customers, DF is really shooting themselves in the foot.
@Windsun33 - I can't complain about DF making copyright claims over at websites streaming dramas they have the licensing for, but this idea that those rights extend to reviews and recaps is not something I buy. Except, I think I take a different approach in that instead of me wishing for DF to get their management together, I just want another legal competitor to hop into the game with as much clout as they have to show them how a good business is done. This would also ensure they don't move toward a drama streaming monopoly.
I could go for them getting some real competition. I was hoping Viki would be it, but at this point Viki has not even managed to get their Android app working right, much less ROKU and other streaming devices.
@Windsun33 - I'm with you. I was hoping Viki would step up their game. On the one hand, I do think that their streaming services have improved over the past few years especially in terms of video quality (I only started watching dramas there with any kind of regularity recently), but they need to expand their selection in order to take on DF. Or we could get someone new in the game, maybe tackle the jdrama availability issue.
I would totally use dramafever or viki - the legal options - if it were properly available to me. Heck, I would PAY to be able to watch dramas. But, like you said, dramafever's service isn't exactly great. They started up a poll for what now??! And I've heard that their subs aren't all that good either. Not sure if I want to pay for THAT.
I wish Viki would work for me; I used to use it but then suddenly most dramas started becoming unavailable for my region =(.
So I understand what DF is doing - since they bought the license and all, but when it comes to something like this I don't think they can ever stop dramas from being available for free anyway. They'd be better off spending resources on trying to convince people that watching dramas at dramafever is the /better/ option rather than the /only/ option (impossible). Which is currently definitely not the case
Whatever it was, it was not DramaFever. If it was not a personal issue of the site owner, then most likely they fell victim to the new copyright laws in Korea. They'll be missed.
Fact is, DF has paid (as in REAL MONEY) for the rights to sub and release most of those dramas. Someone, somewhere, somehow has to pay for these things. DF does pay, DC did not (and in fact they ripped off some of the legally subbed stuff from DF, MBC, and even other maybe-not-legal fan-sub sites).
DC definitely wasn't legal, but they were an easy option for fans who do not have any other way to watch dramas. It's understandable that licenseholders want to shut these practices down, but I just don't believe they can completely stop people from making them available for free anyway. They'd be better off spending energy in upping their services.
I asked this question on the last Cyrano Agency recap and since I'm still curious I wanted to ask here as well. Now that we’ve gotten a bit of our Cyrano in our Agency, I was wondering if there’s something in the drama that has a similar symbolic tone to Cyrano’s huge nose from the play? Just curious about the full length of parallels or similar themes between the play and the drama.
I didn't consider that before. But at the same time, I thought Seo Byung Hoon would be the most similar to Cyrano (he's the one with the poetic words and with Master asking for his help through the agency, I find it similar to when Cyrano starts writing letters to Roxanne as Christian). So the big nose could also be Seo Byung Hoon's past.
Could be...but the whole thing with Cyrano was he felt to shy to approach a woman because of his 'handicap' right? I don't see Byeong Hoon being too shy, but I DO see Master as feeling quite unsure of himself even though he did make the move initially. He's always so willing to pull it back and make it a joke, out of fear of being rejected.
I mean, I know Cyrano was not the suitor in Cyrano. He wrote the words that the suitor used for Rosalind (that's her name, right? I can't remember the guy's name.) So literally, then yes, BH would be Cyrano...but emotionally it feels like MASTER is Cyrano...loving the girl but not feeling worthy.
I guess that will change when BH does start helping Master woo her and we learn why he doesn't feel he deserves it himself...sorry for all the separate comments I'm an idiot this morning.
Tbh, I didn't actually read the play (Sparknotes is my best friend) so if my comments seem wacky that might have to do with it. From the gist I got, Cyrano was in love with Roxane (the woman at the center) but couldn't approach her because of his insecurity over his huge nose. I'm basing some of my thoughts on the next episode preview that shows BH deciding to help Master because he thinks Master is a better guy for her. I think Master is like Christian (the other love interest in the play) because he is so awkward with his words. It's obvious that Min Young is Roxane since they share the same soft spot for love and she seems to gravitate towards Master initially and then as the most recent episode shows, she realized her crush on BH.
I think you have a point with Master having the emotional connection of unworthiness. It's like his gangster past keeps hanging over his head. I wonder if the ahjussi who is always in his restaurant has anything to do with it. Following the thought thread that Master is emotionally like Cyrano, then the ahjussi's continuous presence in Master's restaurant and his reformed life could be the symbolic (or is it metaphor?) parallel to the nose.
But yeah, I think we'll learn why BH doesn't feel like he should be with Min Young in the next episode. Now that we're having this discussion, I feel the need to actually read Cyrano de Bergerac and if the academic opportunity ever came up, I would attempt to write an essay about it (because I'm crazy, of course).
How is everyone? It's very very warm at 16 degrees Celsius (yes I'm not kidding, is warm!) and cloudy here. I wish it would decide to just rain instead of just being dark and ominous though.
And Bureaucrats are still being unhelpful and complicated. Still, I am graduating on tuesday! So weird!
Tales from the till:
- Please don't build mountains when you get to the till. It is annoying, and yes things will fall down no matter how careful we are.
- Tips, if you want it to go faster, look where the barcode scanner is located, if you place your items with the bar code facing the scanner or at least easily seen it's gonna take half the time at the till.
- Sports hating old men always provide fun. Same with old security guards. Especially since they can, and will make snide comments about rude people behind them and/or kids running wild without control. Also, I like the old lady that comes around and gives us candy cause she feels sorry for us.
Dramaland:
-Mia Taeng: This is my new crack. (and giving me sleepless nights). God I hate that girlfriend! And why drama do we need a close up of her face every time the guy hugs her close? We get it, she is being manipulating! and the dramatic music... Like the wife having a bit of a backbone though, atleast towards the girlfriend. And the husband is finally being a bit sweet. The ex needs to take the hint though...
-Monstar & Kiss in Tokyo (I cannot remember the spelling, ever) Still very much behind on them.. Also so sad Dramacrazy is down as that's where I was watching.
Aaaaand that seems to be all I'm watching atm. Huh, how odd. I need to renew my drama list (Any one has any suggestions?), and find new places to watch dramas.. And probably get my friend to teach me the downloading ropes xD
Downloading is not difficult. Just different. It's worth getting used to it. Better quality video, no lagging, no part 1 part 2 etc.,and best of all no commercials! :)
All I know is if you download torrents you also have to upload torrents and I'm not sure about that side of it. First of all, what would I have that isn't already there?
I don't often download unless the streaming quality is poor, or I think I might want to watch it later or again.
However, when I do, I use one of those memory sticks instead of my hard drive or a CD. Even the cheap 8 GB ones will hold a full movie in 720P. For 1080 you will probably need a 16 GB, but since they can be used over and over forever, not a biggy to me. With a memory stick can also plug it into my big screen TV, laptop, or pad thingy.
Ha! I recently invested in a 3TB external HD. It's filling up with HD kdramas, sigh.
The thing with DLing is once you start, going back is hard: the quality is SO much better, especially especially premium sageuk which is AMAZING in HD (the first thing I ever watched in HD was Princess' Man - I honestly felt like if I watched it in SD, I was missing half of it). Also, if you like to keep stuff, you run out of space quickly.
Haha Yeah I know of space problems! Though I have one 3TB external hiddriver (at lest I think that was the space thingy on it) and another portable one so I should be fine atm :p
Manin - clapping gleefully that you are enjoying Mia Taeng.
Do you like the gay friend? his loyalty and caring made me want him as my friend too. Plus he cooks! I want to do brunch with him, some place where we could people watch and gossip and then go shopping together. Where does he gets the bravery to tell her the TRUTH about her behavior? Yet gives her the support and adoration she needs too. If her weren't gay, he might make her a good husband, although she'd never realize it.
The gay friend is awesome! And I so agree with you, he is a very good friend, almost better than what the leech deserves! I love his exclamations of "A gay is down!" and stuff when the brother/no brother/lover on the side (what's u with that?!) comes bulging in.. So funny.
Khongkhai is frustrating me though. I just want him to see how the girlfriend act and I just want him to trust the wife! Although, I suppose that on yourself you recognize others but still! And Ben! her husband being Pai's ex aside, you can tell why he would want to divorce her with the way she acts! And I cannot believe she would do that to herself and her own child!
This drama is bad for my nerves, and getting any sleep at all! :P
Yeah, I mean her husband hasn't rally been the best either. But then you sit down and talk about it, even with a therapist if needed. Just not jump and make yourself miscarriage. That is not a healthy relationship for either side!
That is nice to know :p I'm really liking the mum/mother-in-law though. Okay so she picked someone she liked and made her son marry her, but still. She is pretty awesome.
Hello fellow dramabeaners! That week was exhausting emotionally in Dramaland and I commented to my heart content in the diverse threads. Too tired to redo that here, lol so I will wish everyone a good WE instead... Mine will probably dedicated to my bed: I'm seriously sleep deprived (and it's partly my fault). In fact, if I could rest and wake up for IHYV ep 11, that would be perfect but RL needs me apparently.
I hear you about being sleep deprived, and wish I could have your weekend in bed! Instead I have to travel along with my mum, sister and grandma, all 3 of which are reliable for an emotional melt down at any time when in close proximity..
So I finally dropped YTBLSS after ep 34.....it became tiring to watch.....not even the OTP scenes interest me anymore....
Started Dating Agency: Cyrano and fell in love with it......it has just everything I want in a drama....love the awesome couple of Sooyoung and Lee Jong Hyuk ♥
finished Dalja's Spring.....great show....so funny and heart-warming...
Started Secret Garden....so hilarious (finished 7 eps)
I have to start reading Anna Karenina....has anyone read it?? reviews are welcome :)
Anna Karenina is a great novel. One of my favorites.
Rather than Anna & Vronsky's story I like the secondary story of Levin & Princess Kitty best. Actually I'm crushing on Levin real bad.
And it must have been so good to be able to read it the first time. You are in for a treat.
Hi snow_white! I also finished Dal Ja's Spring! Happy sigh!
I wasn't in love with the enforced separation and timeskip at the end though - why can't people just BE together? There is nothing more heartbreaking in a drama (and in life?) than two people who love each other without any other reason not to be together not being together. It's one thing when love is all they have - despite the romance of the idea, just love isn't enough to build a life on. But Dal Ja and Tae Bong had everything else even before they had love. That frustrated me. I get all the reasons blah blah blah, it just felt like such a waste. Life isn't long enough to waste time.
Another pet hate: is there something wrong with people being TOGETHER while they work themselves out? You want to go abroad, or study, or save money, or open your own shop? Fine, but why can't we be together while you do it? Argh. I hated that in Coffee Prince and Kim Sam Soon, too. And anywhere else I've seen it. In real life...just. Life is short. It should be spent with the ones you love, and busy for them. There are lots of very real reasons why people have to separate or can't be together. It shouldn't be something done easily and lightly. Also, I loved that YB had the resolution it did. You can be TOGETHERRRR and do different things!!!1
Re: SeGa: I don't want to spoil anything for you, so come back and share your thoughts when you finish!
The separation thing has like a 99% of happening in kdramas. I've heard that it's something cultural, but the Koreans just LOVE this whole true-love-means-waiting-for-eachother thing.
I don't like it, but I'm not surprised when it comes up in almost every drama. People just HAVE to separate somehow and meet again much later. Sometimes even centuries later.
Yeah, the separation thing also really bothered me in Flower Boy Next Door because it didn't seem like they needed to be apart during that period but what can you do. I agree with you so much about YB, though I would even say it is okay for characters to be interested in an try out multiple things. I mean, did Mi-nyu really need to stop singing just because her brother was back in town? She clearly enjoyed it and had the talent. Why can't she be an awesome social worker AND a singer? :P I do love that drama.
I'm willing to give Coffee Prince a pass because at least they communicated with each other, but the dramas where they have zero contact for a year or more because they're ~figuring out who they are and working toward their dreams~ just make me angry. Like, sure, maybe you can't live in the same city, but for the love of god, we have telephones and the internet. AT LEAST TALK TO EACH OTHER. (And if it's a kdrama, one of you is probably a chaebol heir: PLANE TICKETS, BUY THEM.)
"but the dramas where they have zero contact for a year or more because they’re ~figuring out who they are and working toward their dreams~ just make me angry."
Exactly!
And in some of those dramas they don't even know where their supposed beloved went and yet still hold out for 3, 7, 10 years sometimes.
Drives. Me. Bonkers.
Or when at the end of the drama the OTP finally gets together but go live in different places WITHOUT a concrete end date or plan, e.g. Tatta Hitotsu no Koi, Osozaki no Himawari, Kekkon Shinai (and some of these are actually GOOD dramas).
Ha! It's always funny to me in the dramas where the lead couple knew each other for maybe two or three months, and then are separated for YEARS but somehow don't move on with their lives. Except, I really loved MGIAG, so I almost forgive it for that (almost). However, I think writers are too trigger happy with time skips in general.
I find it quite irritating... it's just sends the wrong message.
I don't believe in the 'you're fated to be with one person only ever' – I mean, sure, it would be nice, but put your life on hold for half a decade or two because of someone who vanished into thin air (as happens in many dramas)? What kind of life is that? Or what if your partner dies at some point? You are doomed forever now?
That's why I can't relate to videos like this (a friend posted it on FB saying "how sweet", I think it's cheesy at best... and problematic at worst):
Yup - I think the "I am going overseas" and "I am going to study (XYZ in ABC) so wait 2,3,4 years for me" seems to be one of the most overused plot devices in K-dramaland. It really starts to get a bit iffy for me at times though - in one show it was 5 years, yet of course they got back together just like they had parted 2 days ago. (and of course, the heroine even after spending 5 years in America getting her Ph.D could barely speak 4 words of English, but that is a different rant...).
Regarding Alua's fated to be with one person forever comment-The thing with k dramas are that it does not promote that fairy tale for the most part. Yes there are fate tropes, but K dramas are all about there are choices-hence the the second male lead. When the female lead makes her choice, it's a good choice, but if she'd chosen the other guy, that would be a good choice too. I personally love that about k drama-there is always more than one right person for you in life.
Regarding the separation that occurs in almost every drama, this is a Korean cultural concept at play related to enduring suffering-the concept of Han.
You're right... I generally write my thoughts talking about K / J and TW drama, but if I think about it K dramas don't scream that FATE message the way J and perhaps especially TW dramas do (Endless Love? Alice in Wonder City?... dozens come to mind with TW dramas).
That said, the OTP always seems to be non-negotiable that in some way it doesn't seem like a choice, even if the plot makes it seem that way. In too many dramas, K-ones included, you know that the second lead doesn't stand a chance.
Alua- Yes, I see your point on how k dramas seem preset, (and really they are, I mean hello script lol), and I think we all know how it's going to play out so we become jaded! I always refer back to my first k drama and think about how that made me feel, how either "love" could be a successful relationship.
Though I am an Asian and probably much older than average viewers, I have never seen a real couple who were fated to be together from their childhood. So I find those dramas are not that convincing. As for a second lead, it is true, they have no chance. In particular if a male were a second lead, the main female figure always stick with the her first love! I love to see a drama that can break this pattern. It is ok that women can be swayed by other guys other than their first love. I thought this can happen with ' I need a romance' but in the end, she went back with her first choice... The second lead was much better!!
Indeed, quite discombobulating. I am posting from 37 degrees west African country. Been here 5 days, when a friend emailed in panic that DC was shutting down. Told her to check OT for leads on alternate sites. Still with the sun at 740 pm. Will be in an east African country early morning Sunday. It is Ramadan time. I wish all Muslims a meaningful and prayerful season. Dramas on hold for two more weeks. Happy weekend everyone!
So this week I started watching "I Summon You, Gold!" and though I am at the point of hating most of the characters save for the leads, I keep marathoning the episodes because it is there. Is anyone else watching this show?
From a cultural standpoint though, one thing that is interesting to me about the show is how two of the characters are the rich man's mistresses--and how one of them functions as the man's live-in wife because he never officially divorced his first. How widely common or acceptable is this in South Korea?
Also, anyone have any recommendation for new or old kdrama romantic comedies? My taste runs along the lines of "City Hall," "My Princess," and "Dalja's Spring." Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
I would recommend "Delightful Girl Choonhyang", and "Que Sera Sera" (though its a bit more angsty. Still a good drama though). Trying to rake my brain for other suggestions.
Cool! I will try both. I had tried Delightful Girl but got busy and dropped it for the time being. And I'll have to check out Que Sera Sera if I can find it on Dramafever or Viki!
Yeah I dropped it the first time I tired to watch it as well. Got it re-recommended, gave it another shot and ended up really liking it. So there is still hope ;)
ISYG was very good until the last episodes... Something changed (writer?), probably to try breaking the 30% ratings mark & I don't like much the direction. The polygamous dad with kids left and right is not that far from reality: SK is notoriously the country of affairs, mistresses and hidden kids. If the man has the money to pay for everyone, it's kind of accepted. Their notion of family is pretty exotic and the fact that they like to preach morality (filial piety, neo confucianism and all) always makes me smile. Contradictions!
Talking about old rom-coms: I'm rewatching The woman who still wants to marry. It's really a fun show. I rewatched What's up, fox? recently and it's also a good oldie. Another one: 9 end 2 outs. All those dramas come from MBC: A few years ago, they had awesome rom coms. Not so much now...
I'm watching Queen of Reversals right now and really loving it—it has a bit of the workplace vibe of Dalja's Spring, although it's more serious. Pasta is also a slightly older rom-com that's worth watching.
if you haven't seen sandglass I think you should watch it. It's an epic drama that is the right length. It's not fake epic ( too many dramas are fake epic) When you see choi min soo act you'll see what cha seung won is trying to achieve. The problem with sandglass is the subs are disappointing. They will do, but I think they should be better. If you haven't seen go hyun jung's HIT I think that is a good one to watch as well.
I second Que sera sera!! I'll add My Girl it's older but funny & I love the leads. Do you only watch Kdramas? Because there's some very good T-dramas I could recommend.. Starting with In time with you.
I have been watching ISYG pretty regular, though with mixed feelings about it.
For a while there it almost seemed like it was going into that Hundred Year Inheritance or YTBYSS horribility (is that a word? ) but the last couple episodes seem to have backed off on that.
I have a few peeves about it, but it is nowhere near as bad as the screaming psycho-moms in YTBYSS. It looks like the heroine might be finally starting to stick up a little more for herself - I liked it when she finally told her mom that "giving people everything they want is not love" (referring I think to the mom spending tons of money on the younger sister while she had to give up on college and a lot of other things).
It is not at the top of my list, but it is far from the bottom. I am sure that somewhere along the line, she will finally meet her twin sister, I just hope the writers don't make that into a non-event filled with fluffy nothings.
Loved everything on your list except Last Scandal on My Life. I regularly rewatch everything else on your list ... Saw each of them in entirety at least 4 times ... and certain episodes more than 10 times.
I hope you are all doing well today. To all the Beans (or is it Beanies? Hehehe) in the U.S., I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!
So I have to share the following ..... I spoke with someone this week who declared that the actress who plays Mi-do in WAML is "not that bad" in the drama. ...... How I wish you guys could have been there to see the stunned look on my face. Come to think of it, with my stunned look, I may have looked like Mi-do with her "Expression #1", then again, it could have been her "Expression #2"...... who knows at this point, since they're interchangeable. ..... *giggles*
Finished watching Queen of the Office. It wasn't that bad, I must say. It did leave a couple of details unexplained, but it did have these little moments that just shined (Mr. Mu!). It was an interesting little drama which did shed light on the whole contract worker reality in Korea, which I was certainly not familiar with.
Continued with:
- WAML (those white shirts!! ..... love 'em!)
- Dong Yi
- caught 2 episodes of AHYI (that new DIL with her dog "Coco" is laugh-out-loud nutty!)
On a different note, add my Mom to the list of people who have dropped YTBLSS. She dropped it at episode 16.
New dramas start next week! I'll have to check them out!
Oh Dongi Yi! I liked that drama! Though I feel you could pin point the exact moment they received an extension. I've rewatched my favorite bits a lot though. So nice when you can fast forward the scheming schemers.
Love the relationship with the kind and the head eunuch though. So funny!
I Hear Your Voice: Loving this show so much . I love the way it surprises us and how it's peopled with so many good-hearted folks/kids. It's like it's showing us the best and worst of human nature. Am thinking Su-Ha probably killed Big Bad in self-defense and just can't deal with the guilt so he went all amnesiac. Ahjussi who nephew-ized him probably helped to bury the body. Of course, i wouldn't be surprised if Min Gook showed up..because the show is that good at keeping us guessing. I love how even though we see Su-Ha's utter cluelessness, we also see that he's also quite intelligent and --even in his amnesiac state-- he's good at deducing and catching on to folks' emotions.
Shark: Yi Soo had better start cracking in his aim for revenge or I'll lose patience with him. Am really feeling more for the innocent collateral damage folks than for him. Granted, good guys have lived in a wonderful world built on delusion but heck, who's life isn't built on delusion? We all have some ancestor who did bad back in the day, so second lead and heroine shouldn't be so devastated that their family has been involved in evil. Yet... their devastation is really touching my heart. Reminds me of poor Hyuk in Incarnation of Money.
Blade and Flower: Am really liking this? And what's with that weird fusion music?
Heartless/Cruel City: Still have not returned to it. My patience with Soo Min and Hyung Min is nil. I might go back if I hear returning is worth it.
Not feeling any desire or need to see Monstar, Cyrano, etc..but really wanting to catch up on Mandate of Heaven. Am about 13 episodes behind. Wanting to watch Love Around. But actually went back and re-watched Faith. Wondering where the heck are the subs for the J-dramas I was watching? Otome-san, etc. Liking the new J-drama about Otou-san who died (possibly murdered) and his family "didn't really know him."
Terribly bummed about Animecrazy/Dramacrazy...so trying to find new k-drama and anime homes. I like Viki but they often don't have a lot...especially J-dramas. Plus that was where i kept my favorites...Now i'm afraid of forgetting the names of all my faves.
That's about all, i think. Have a good weekend, all!
I am glad that I started watching Love Around. So much so, that I started watching their previous drama Love Now. This helps to fill in the gap of their great chemistry until new episodes of Love Around air and are subbed.
I've been contemplating on whether or not to start Love Around. I rarely watch TW/C-dramas on air since they run a lot longer than kdramas and when they go all crazy I feel like I've wasted a great deal of my time. Sounds like it's good if you started another drama because of it, haha. How are the leads and plot? I haven't watched George Hu in anything since Romantic Princess (and that has been super long ago).
Annie Chen and George Hu, the main leads for both Taiwanese dramas, have great chemistry. They truly deliver with great kissing scenes in Love Now. I am waiting with great anticipation for their kissing scene(s) in Love Around.
Be sure to let me know if you find a replacement for DC! I'm totally bummed about it...this is going to severely limit my ability to watch dramas.....sad sad day.....
Dear Carole
An off topic, but deeply felt "thank you" for not writing the titles of the shows you discussed in short hand.
Seriously, I'm going crazy looking for DPSEY or CKFWF in the title lists of K dramas.
(And if anyone is looking for what my capital letter abbreviations meant--don't. I made them up.)
Last week’s post contained enough sadness for a country music hit. But things are brighter this week, beanies. A close friend - we call each other ‘sis’- texted me outta the blue:
Sis: You mentioned it last Christmas and I’m in between jobs. Looked it up and I’m marathoning it this week. *she said marathon as a first-timer*
So…we texted back and forth, she finished all 17 episodes fast enough to make this kdramaddict proud.
Sis: What do you recommend next?
Me: (pondering, pondering –ah!) Flower Boy Next Door. I think you’ll like it. Text when you start. We can compare notes.
Sis: So, how many kdramas have you watched? How do you know about all this?
Me: Oh, just for fun here and there. *cough*
Refrained from texting her what I watched this week: QC, ICHYV, SIW, BBJ, BF, CC, ♥inT, Shark, S&F, Monstar, FB, CDA.
Next day:
Sis: Love it! I’m on episode 6. I stayed up ‘til 2 a.m.
*beaming!* She’s keeping up with the best of us. I’m impressed. So, now I’ve converted my (real) brother and my friend-sister. *brushes hands together in a one person high five*
Me: Hey. *all casual* If you’re interested there’s a site where I connect with other kdrama viewers – and you can read up on kdramas with ratings and recaps…it’s dramabeans. Anyway, look it up if you want.
Yesterday:
Sis: Oh, I checked out dramabeans. My ‘name’ – diegoenfuego.
Me: So cool!
She’s CONVERTED! Fighting! \/
-----
KDQOTD: “It’s not that the strong survive, but those that survive are strong.” (S&F ep 1)
Other things: Queen’s Classroom is fantastic. I cried so hard when HaNa and BoMi were crying over friendship (and how complicated it became). Loved when Teacher said: Teaching in public school is my mission.
What I watched this week:
Barefoot Friends
Kimi wa Petto (again)
Jeon Woo Chi
Lotus Lantern
Paen Rai Phai Rak
Real Love Please Press the Bell Twice
With Love
Shark
I Hear Your Voice
Love in Tokyo
Dating Agency Cyrano
Heartless City
Nail Shop Paris (dipped my toe back in for an ep b4 shaking head and running away again)
What's Up Fox ('cause of jomo)
My Queen (just started ... ep 1 hard to like heroine)
Long Vacation (just started ... )
So my list is long like yours.
With Love is a 1998 JDrama staring Takenouchi Yutaka that I randomly selected because I have a weakness for moody musicians. The technology ... Windows 95 and dialup modems! Is this related to You've Got Mail? Email lovers premise is similar. Anyways, I liked it.
I love Barefoot Friends for a variety show. They could edit it better, more action, less panning and showing non-stuff, but it's a fun diversion from kdramas.
What' s Kimi wa Petto?
Oh,been meaning to tell you that your name always reminds me of James Ttaylor's song Rockaby Sweet Baby James. (line ~ Oh, the Berkshires seemed dreamlike on account of that frosting...)
That story with your friend-sis is brill. Love it.
You don't know Kimi wa Petto?!?!?!
It's one of my favourites. Particularly good when you need a pick-me-up drama that cracks you up.
As Julia said though, don't try the Korean film adaptation which is beyond awful (once you have watched the j-dorama, go read the You're My Pet film review on my blog and know what you saved yourself from.). ---> after because it's a very spoilerish review.
A Takenouchi Yutaka drama? He's soooo good. His dramas are not that easy to track down though, I've watched three (Nagareboshi, Rondo and the one that's a remake of the American film The Vow).
Happy OT everyone. I wish you have a wonderful weekend.
This week I'm still watching same dramas as last week:
- Bu Bu Jing Xin; at ep 27 now. I lost interest since I don't know where the story is going to take me. Maybe it's because I don't know about Chinese history. I just can't understand Ruoxi's thought at all.
- Cyrano Dating agency; ep 11 - 12. I didn't expect tears at all, and the cancer thing appears out of the blue. =)) what the heck, yet I cried a bit. I like Moo Jin - Hye Ri cute development. 2 awkward people in love. Master's past revealed, now I know he got another facial expression than his usual poker face. I love you, Master. If Min Young chose Byung Hoon, you can turn to me. Anytime.
- She is Wow; ep 10. The truth revealed, but it's still not clear yet wether Gong Jung Han is really a gay, or he pretends to love Ji Seung Gi because he feels guilty? I feel pity for General's wife. That creepy ahjumma from Chinese is so mysterious. Who is really she? The only lovable scene: Gong Min Kyu - Yoo Nan Hee moment. My heart broken watching them two. Min Kyu piggy backing her, recite promises she dictates him, and then she dies. Poor Min Kyu. :((
- Drama Special: My Friend is Still Alive and The Memory in My Old Wallet. Worth watching, but don't forget to have tissue supply. :D
- Variety Show: 1N2D Romantic Backpacking and It's alive, Taean! Lots of laugh and now I'm craving for hot octopus soup. :9
She is WOW: ep 11. They had to go there, really... Big mistake imo. Nan-Hee and MK were the only ray of light in that asylum since the parodic satyrical tone that I liked so much disappeared by the window. Now we go in Revenge Makjang land. WTF? Glad there is only 1 episode left.
Thank you so much for providing. I have bookmarked all. I loved dramacrazy as it allowed me to watch the raws when subs taking long. It will be missed.
Yeah I used to use both of them against each other. CAuse if one would have a problem then I could watch the episode on the other one. DC tended to be faster in uploading though.
You could also try epdrama... I've usually been able to find the dramas I want there, although they're sometimes a little slower with the subs (if that's an issue for you).
I was using dramafever, but it suddenly seems like they might be requiring registration and/or payment... not quite sure what the situation is there.
I never used dramafever, because it didn't work in my country. Their involvement in shutting down sites has also turned me off from wanting to use them as well.
Managed to delete half my comment I just discovered. epdrama has decent quality from what I've seen. used them a bit before but not as much as I've used dc and gooddrama
Same here! Half of dramafever I can't watch because ' It's not available in you country/region'. Annoying really, like I live in the Antarctis not in the middle of Europe. -.-
Yeah that's what I don't like. The scare tactics and eliminating other sites, even those not intruding on their "copy right" while at the same time not being globally available. It's stupid, and annoying for people living outside of America.
And even though it can hurt them, (people boycotting and so on) at the end people will use them because they have no other option, and they know it.
It's bullying and ruling tactics right there. And had the other sites possessed the same "legitimacy" that dramafever can claim it would be illegally robbing people of fair brand competition.
I heard that it was. I thought DC and epdrama were somewhat immune to the drama site crackdown since it survived that previous one that resulted in kimichidrama and mysoju being taken down. But seeing that DC now offline, I think epdrama faces the same fate. Hopefully not, of course.
I feel the need to start downloading some dramas I plan on watching in the near future that are not available on viki now :/.
Yeah dramacrazy shutting down was sad. And if epdrama is looking at closing as well? Just hope gooddrama stays alive.. I'm with you though, need to start downloading! (or start step one: how do you download?" )
I think there's different ways to download kdramas. In the past I reserved downloading dramas when I wanted to watch them on-the-go when I wouldn't have service or wifi on my phone/ipod. So in that case, sometimes video quality is sacrificed. I use specifically use Firefox in most cases when I'm downloading. I have an add-on that allows me to download the flash video files on websites like gooddrama (the one I use it called Fast Video Downloader, I think, but there's others). Once I've downloaded the flash videos (making sure to give each part of the episode proper titles so I don't get confused), I use zamzar (website) to convert the flash videos to mp4 so theyre playable on my iphone. However, you can skip the last step since you should be able to just play the flash video file by itself on your computer. If the episode is on dailymotion or youtube, I use the website keepvid to just download the mp4 files (it's a lot quicker but since DM and YT have such strict copyright rules, dramas are harder to find on there).
The other way of downloading I'm not super familiar with. That involves downloading the RAW video file and then downloading the subtitle file. Then using a video player that allows you to use subtitle files and the raw video file so they play together. The website WithS2 (subbing squad) has a bit of info on how to do that and some helpful links. On my mac, I play the RAW file in Quicktime and play the subtitles in a separate app called srtViewer. You can find the raw file on a few websites. Try the soompi forums or the website asia torrents. The subtitle files are generally done by fansubbers so based on the drama you'll have to google around for them. If it's on air, it'll take longer than viki does probably because it won't be a trendy drama.
Manin - downloading is a headache with older shows, especially when it comes to those originally uploaded on megaupload. Usually you have to find raw videos and softsubs separately - I rarely find hardsubbed videos. Torrents (using uTorrent) or insane searching gives me some. And the rest I just hope stay on streaming sites :/
hello there ! ahh, this is my first time on Open Thread. hopefully you guys are happy during this weekend. :D
so the most anticipating drama around this time is I HEAR YOUR VOICE. truthfully I've not watch this drama yet, but still downloading its new episodes every week. hahaa. this is because I want to keep this drama as my stock during my 2 months holiday. the last drama that I still can't erase from my mind is BRIDAL MASK a.k.a GAKSITAL. this drama give too much impact to me and now I can't find any action and heartbreaking drama like this anymore.
and Joo Won is making his comeback after waste-talent-performance on 7th Grade Civil Servant. hopefully with the we-know-they-are-awesome-cast such as Moon Chae Won and Joo Sang Wook. they can make better result this time.. :)
forgive me because of my pre-school English words. will be improving next time (hopefully). hahaa. :D good luck in whatever you are doing. have a great time and keep i touch with Dramabeans. ;)
Welcome on OT! Marathoning IHYV is probably wise... I'm waiting for Good Doctor too: Totally in the mood for a good medical show with a different flavor.
The reason I didn't like gaksital as much as everyone else I think has to do with the story I expected and the story I got. I loved the first few episodes when joo won wasn't gaksital and it was someone else with a great cover id. That storyline grabbed me but later on it became too much about that uninteresting girl and the crazy nail box. I have to say that actor playing shunji was IT for me in that drama. I saw some of his older work, by chance and I was pleased to see he always had it in him.
Although I liked Gaksital I can see where you're coming from. For me the thing I wanted more off was the transformation part from being the police officer and turning into Gaksital and what motivated it on a higher level than what we was given.
The one playing Shunji did an amazing job in turning from the nice school teacher and into the crazy evil guy (and knowing that he did that silly mobile commercial makes it even better!). I also think Joo Woon did a good job in portraing Kang To and getting his emotions across. Loved the last scene with the two of them though. So powerful.
you are so right! that is it exactly. I think that will never ever be satisfied for a cynic like me. I know we were given an explanation aside from his revenge but I just couldn't buy it. I think it had to do with the cat being out of the bag from the beginning. Sometimes knowing someone is a double spy works, sometimes you can't help but hate them ( soo ae athena for instance.) Yeah that last scene was good. As kang to joo won was fine, as gaksital joo won was fine.
Yeah the revenge plot works in the beginning because taking on the mask lets him avenge his mother and all that. But taking up the thread as the hero of the people? I wanted that to be explored more.
I mean he was treated badly by all as a cop, and it's not like we wouldn't know off the injustrice done to Koreans so why now? And what was his feelings? Because it feels a bit forced that it is just to carry on his brother's revenge.
I did like some of how the double spy knowledge was handled though. Those intense moments when both are sitting there wondering how much the other know about their own knowledge. And both walking that edge trying to figure out while not revieling their own cards.
Believe it or not, I just finished watching Gaksital/Bridal Mask last night. It was my new year's resolution to watch this drama since so many people were raving about it on dramabeans last year.
Like you, I didn't really care for it as much as others did. I am glad that I can now say that I have watched it from beginning to end. It took me 6 - 7 months to finish it, but I finally did!
In my opinion, it had one of the best finale episodes in kdrama land. I enjoyed it more than all the other episodes.
I agree with Manin, that the actor Jin Se-yeon did an amazing job in portraying the transformation of Shunji during the course of the series. Kudos to Joo Woo as well for his portrayal of Kang To.
Gaksital, how I miss its awesomeness. That drama made me a fan of Joo Won. That uniform. That Gaksitaaaaal shoutings :D
I hope Good Doctor will be good.
Happy Friday to all of you! I'm leaving this weekend for two weeks in Europe with my family; going to a family reunion in Germany but visiting Dublin, London and Paris first. So I'm not starting any new shows and I'm already dreading the drama withdrawal I'll be going through. I am so disappointed about dramacrazy shutting down, but I will pull a "Scarlet O'Hara" and worry about it another day.
Traveling reminds me of how I got addicted to Kdramas in the first place. Six years ago I was in Seoul at Kyobo bookstore when a drama was filming. I discovered later that a little drama by the name of Coffee Prince had shot a scene there. The rest is history. We knew very little Korean at that time, so we would make up our own dialog and act out parts while watching sageuks back at the hotel.
I hope everyone is having a fun summer, at least those of you in the northern hemisphere, and I will try to keep up with your comments as wifi allows.
Javabeans, any word on the next meetup? I'm thinking we all could use some group therapy.
Hi RockPaperScissors! Enjoy your travels! If you want a taste of Korea in London, go to a place called New Malden. It's where all the Korean shops, restaurants, etc. are. I love it!
enjoy your trip! I recently took a drama free trip myself. I didn't mind it as much as I thought I would. Which only means the drama I started wasn't that great.
"I can't wait for the next ep1" watch list:
- I Can Hear Your Voice - this is my new Nine. So far, so great. The crying and tearing up is breaking my heart. Oh and the confused look on Soo ha's face now....just want to hug the kid. ** SPOILER ** I am not too happy with her response to his questions about feelings.
- Cruel City - yes, it took a while but I marathoned and am ready for the next.
- Dating Agency Cyrano - definitely want to see where this is going.
- Gu Am Heo Jun - a good pace and I can't believe we broke ep 75!
Regular "I am watching" list:
- Monstar
- I Summon You Gold - over-the-top facial expressions and all.
- You're the Best Lee Soon Shin - *one more week until this is back-burnered for lack of anything interesting.
- Sword and Flower - I'll give it a few more episodes to work beyond pretty scenes.
- Goddess of Marriage - *there is just something so heavy and depressive about the whole thing. I'll stick it out for this week.
- Goddess of Fire - sticking it out until the leads appears.
Goddess of Fire - I watched the first two episodes, doubt I will go any further with it. I think in the first two episodes it had at least half of the 25 most common k-drama clichés and makjang moments, and the highly exaggerated emoting is just WAY over the top for me. The heroine is cute as a bug, but I can only take so much of the ridiculous over-acting by all the characters, and the Bearded Old Men in Funny Hats scenes look like they might be a fixture in this series, which is a turn-off for me.
Empire of Gold (which also just started) - I am still up in the air about this one after seeing the first two episodes. Ep1 was kind of bleh, but it did seem to pick up a bit in ep2. But I find the timelines a bit confusing. It is still on my watch list, but in a "we will see" status.
what's happening to dramacrazy? I usually use good drama but have dramacrazy as a back up for unsubbed daily dramas that I just want to see how they end.
It's shut down. No idea why just the claim of "After a great run, we have decided to shut down DramaCrazy and move on. The drama streaming landscape is ever so changing and it was a fun ride while it lasted"
So theories are out but no one seems to know what acctualy happened.
Hi everyone! Finished Flower Boy Next Door this week. A cute but somewhat forgettable drama, though Yoon Si Yoon is so freaking adorable I probably couldn't say no to anything he asks for.
Kim Ji Hoon has also earned a newfound fan in me though it's a pity his new show is a less "trendy" drama that I probably won't be watching. Too much drama backlog to clear on my side!
Also starting on That Winter - a 360 turn in drama tone for me heehee.
Also watched The Client this week - amazing performances from the 3 male leads :)
Lastly, I've found a new favorite drink - makgeolli. Yay!
Augh, makgeolli! I discovered the liquor store near my place (near as in walking distance) sells makgeolli. It's terrible - I keep buying it. It's so easy to drink! And tasty! The Korean dude that runs the store recognises me now because I'm one of two Caucasians that buy the Korean booze they sell there--the other one is apparently a middle-aged man who says soju is better than whiskey, and buys two bottles a week.
I agree that soju is a bit smoother than whiskey but I'm a makgoli girl. Last summer I was drinking 2 bottles a week. But I stopped after I saw all the artificial sweetener in the one I was buying. Hmm remember that drama where they drank a lot of makgoli? or had a makgoli factory? I can't remember which it is now.
Between the Korean drinks I prefer makgoelli, if only because it doesn't get you as drunk as soju does - that stuff sneaks up on you and then knocks you flat. It's too easy to drink for it's alcohol content! So makgoelli's better. And I just like the taste.
Cinderella's Sister? I seem to recall story's main family owned a makgoelli brewery. And I remember the cast drinking loads of makgoelli in The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry - it's thanks to that show I went and hunted the stuff down. I couldn't take watching them drink it anymore.
A brief question regarding makgeolli, because I've never bought it ..... is it chalky? I've seen people shake the bottles sometimes but I don't know if it's to mix any settled contents or not. I've seen commercials and it appears smooth (or perhaps filtered....I don't know). I hope my question makes sense.
Chalky's a good description, actually. There is quite a bit of sediment and you shake it (gently, 'cause it's carbonated, or at least the two brands I've seen are). It you don't it tastes more watery, and if you do it gives it a slightly fuller, chalkier taste. I believe shaken is the 'normal' way to drink it. JAMES BOND JOKE HERE.
I should add that unshaken it looks like--if you know Pocari, it looks like that, but otherwise really watery milk, and if you shake it up it looks close to low-fat milk but white, not that yellowish colour low-fat milk seems to be.
Also, evidently makgeolli is fairly low in calories (as alcohol goes), whereas soju is pretty high-cal. (If these considerations factor into your drinking decisions...)
not chalky, tried it unsaken prefer it shaken. But I haven't experienced truly good makgoli yet. I have this idea that it is better than I have tasted so far.
Just finished Iris2. I liked a lot of it more than the first one, but I think Athena is still my favorite of the 3. I liked the lead in Athena better but I liked the Iris 2 female lead more. I really loved the omani's boy Lee Bum Soo. That being said I wish Jang Hyuk can stop having "glorious deaths" in fact dramas need to stop using that device and the betrayer best friend, adopted son/daughter. I find that the psychology is usually wrong or the execution is too skewed. My favorite version of the betrayer best friend was the Equator man version. Unfortunately that show had way too many things it was trying to do and couldn't. I felt like I was watching a drama censor itself, or try to paraphrase a copied wikipedia article so it won't look like plagiarism. The good news is I'm almost caught up with my dramas. I saw the first episode of mandate of heaven and I didn't like it. I kinda know the story they're telling and I'm not sure I'm interested. I just need to watch the first episode of gu family book and I think I'll be ready to live watch the hong sisters drama.
No one likes "glorious deaths" more than Jang Hyuk himself. He's so intense, and it suits his personality. He might even write the "gd" ending himself, final out in a huge blasé of fire.
The thing about watching older dramas sometimes is you have a good benchmark for quality. It's like after you've seen the usual suspects you can smell a keyser soze plot a mile away and they are never as good or interesting as the first time. You say those are good and I know not to expect anything different from the last 3 dramas I saw that were exactly like them. I have them on my list., But I'm looking for the drama that is like nothing else I've seen first.
I Hear Your Voice Enjoying it as ever. Monstar Enjoying it. Itazura na Kiss Good, though I don't find the Nakao-runs-his-dad's-company plot line very convincing at all. I know they are just sticking to the manga, but these bits that we are getting at the moment (also the omiai instigated by the rich princess) are not very interesting to me. Not such a fan of Kotoko simply playing wifey either. Kinchan remains a highlight though. Sennyu Tantei Tokage Finished – delivered what detective dramas promise to deliver. It's good, but I do think that Matsuda Shota is wasting his talent in series like these. He needs to follow big bro and do films. Bitter Sweet Home Kyoto Finished. Quite enjoyed that, but not more than that. Was kind of hoping for the okami & ex romance to blossom again, but then this drama was never about romance. Mayonaka no Panya-san Need to watch the final episode.
New J dramas (missing Soratobu Kouhoushitsu!): Gekiryuu - Watashi o Oboeteimasuka Good start so far. Very curious how this one will play out. Thrilled to see that Kiritani Kenta is getting a good role (even if he shares the lead with 4 others). Woman Ohhhh, good so far as well. This one will be an intense, emotional ride. Looking forward to it.
Alice in Wonder City (TW, oldie) – Very watchable, I rather enjoyed some of its characters which felt a little different from most TW dramas (no real love rivalry). I wasn't quite convinced by Alice though, or the whole X-seeds storyline. Love Around and Just You New TW dramas, nothing special and kind of overacted but not too bad. Just watching them when my brain has checked out. That said, I quite like the female leads in both so far. George Hu's character bores me a little though, Aaron Yan is much better (arrogant jerk of course but you can sense that there's some profound emotional pain hidden deep within).
Would you suggest one over the other (Love Around and Just You)? I've been looking for a TW/C-drama to watch and I might start an on-air in addition to Substitute Princess since it seems like it was worth the ride for Chris.
Hmm. I think the storyline is less interesting in Love Around, George Hu's character bores me (and his family makes me cringe) but there is something very likeable about Annie Chu so far. Just You is more over-acted, but I like both leads – it has lots of comic potential (endless bickering!) but also the emotional trauma of Aaron Yan's character. And Puff Guo's family is awesome (the kind of drama families we need more often – kind of like in Miss Rose, though that drama flatlined baadddly).
Of course, both dramas could play out in ever-predictable, disappointing ways, indeed, there are plenty of cliches already. I guess at the moment I'd recommend Just You over Love Around.
Most of the time I never make it to the end of TW dramas though...
I am watching Just you, and think its pretty cute. Though agree its a tad overacted. The leads are just adorable so can't wait when they start to have feelings for each other!
Thanks! I think I'll start on Just You and maybe I'll even check out Love Around a little later. Whenever I watch a TW drama on air, I find that I rarely finish it.
I just started Just You and I like it! It's cute, fluffy and easy on the eyes if that's what you're looking for. It's pretty much what I'm looking for in a t-drama and for some reason I find myself liking the leads. I don't think it's going to win any awards for it's plot but it has all the elements of a fun t-drama that I'm in the mood for these days. I would recommend it if that's also what you're looking for.
Haven't watched Love Around so can't help you there......
I know, there's something about the leads. I love Puff Guo's guts (and she gets even more brownie points because I hated her character in Miss Rose so much that I thought I'd never be able to watch anything else with her).
Aaron Yan's character is the sort I usually can't stand, but his vulnerability is already so obvious that I can't help but feel for him.
Mayonaka - this drama drove me nuts. I liked the story (and the food), but I wanted to shoot the scriptwriter. WHAT IS WITH THE DIALOGUE. So clunky. So in-your-face. I felt like it could have been so much better...
I need some J-dramas to watch, any recommendations?
I liked the early episodes of Mayonaka better, I liked the diversity in characters, but some of the episodes were...ughhh. Especially the little kid's mom (let's abandon the kid! not even leave him at an orphanage, but literally abandon. and 3 episodes on: now let's dump him on his father!). And they didn't just give her one episode, but several!
I agree, it could have been much better – basic idea was good.
New J-dramas, or older ones? I have high expectations for Gekiryuu and Woman (just started), I really liked just-finished Soratobu Kouhoushitsu (though it grew on me & and it is super-mellow). Recently watched Rondo (2006) and enjoyed that a lot.
I just recently re-watched a j-drama called Haken no Hinkaku with Shinohara Ryoko. And fell in love with it all over again. If you don't mind workplace dramas with a bit of romance, it's awesome.
I prefer the T version myself. Or rather T versions because I think it had 2 or 3 versions. The kissing scenes in the T version are definitely better than K or J.
You're watching Just You?! Me too :) I agree with the over-acted part but the hate-to-love transition is always fun to watch. Gonna jump ship when the love rectangle comes to the fore though. I hate angst, especially in tw-dramas.
We can always hope.... Alice in Wonder City didn't really have one (it had unrequited love and essentially a one night stand that was part drunkenness, part undercover scheme).
Given the storyline of no work romance, we might stand a chance? Unless some evil ex comes to claim Aaron...well, maybe one will, because he definitely has an emotional scar. But let's hope that at that point Aaron has 100% fallen for Puff already and that Puff will be a fierce tigress defending her puppy. It might be bearable then.
It's definitely coming in Love Around (childhood friend that reappears after a gazillion years actually thinks he has rights... I can see his jealous streak from a mile away already now – and that's not even considering the guy that she just broke up with).
The opening (or ending, can't quite remember) shows a love rectangle but it seems to be stronger towards Puff than Aaron. The thing with traumatized mains is that somehow they still have that one girl they're exceptionally nice to or they do/say things that the main female sees/overhears in the worst way...misunderstandings galore :/
I hope the good people at DramaFever are working today so I can watch both episodes of I Hear Your Voice and hopefully Sword and Flower. Yes I realize I could probably watch both elsewhere but last year when DramaFever was getting ready to change their rates and said if you sign up before January 30th I think, you could pay their old rates as long as you keep it active I jumped onboard, so if a show is on DramaFever I prefer to watch it there.
With the closing of DramaCrazy I lost my secondary site people gave suggestions for other sites but most if not all of those seem to be exclusively for Korean dramas, are there any other sites for Taiwanese and Japanese dramas?
I sort of regret not buying the DramaFever lifetime membership back when they were still offering it. I bet I would have saved money over the long run =X
Not going to dramafever. I still don't like their politics. And their translations kinda need work... I keep correcting them and I don't need that.
Try Good drama [dot] net.
Also try ep drama.
You can also try other links as well.
Kshownow also has a bunch of shows.
Dramacrazy.com shut down, I believe because d-addicts got mad at them for stealing subs and then not giving them credit and then running ads in addition, which technically meant it was a copyright violation and also a violation of using the subs which were expressed to not be for profit.
Personally, I wish Dramacrazy hadn't put on all of their raw that it was Japanese, which just ticked me off... Not everything from Asia is Japanese.
Anyway, I saw a petition on d-addicts about Dramacrazy.
The lesson to learn from this: Don't piss off the subbers by taking credit for their work and letting your users think you are subbing the episodes when you aren't.
I also like viki.com. I wish they'd take over from Dramafever instead. Especially since Dramafever can't touch them. I also like crowd sourced translation since the accuracy tends to be high.
I think it's probably because Viki is also a legal site now. They obtain licensing rights just like Dramafever does. However, they subtitle in a variety of languages so non-English viewers can enjoy the site too. I've noticed some region restrictions on viki but I don't think it's as bad as America-aimed DF.
Thanks for the explanation. I am happy to support Viki. Their subbing is fast on most things I watch and seems to be accurate as far as I can tell. I hope they now have the chance to expand offerings. Maybe I'll lend them a hand, though I have never subbed or segmented a show.
I've been hearing some buzz about Heartless City for a while and I finally have more time to completely indulge in dramas and I've been wondering if I should give in. It sounds like it has been good but any thoughts on the pacing, tone, plot, and where it's headed to give me an idea if it's worth it?
And the same goes for Love in Tokyo. I watched the TW version but dropped the Korean version. For anyone who is watching LIT, how does it compare to the other versions? Or even w/out comparison, is it worth the time? I have yet to ever finish a jdorama sadly :(.
I am really loving Heartless City so I definitley recommend. Beware there are a lot of chracters and politics within in the both the criminal underworld and police side that you will have to keep straight. The first episode does a lot of set up but things really get going when Jung Kyung Ho comes on screen. This my first time watching a kdrama like this as till recently I have not been into melos. The tone is definetley dark and they don't shy away from violence or sex.
Regarding Love in Toyko I also recommend. Its my favorite version so far and I have seen both the Taiwanese and Korean versions. Kotoko's character is the best version of the character I have seen so far as she is portrayed as being very kind but more silly than dumb (like the Taiwanese version) or a doormat (like the korean version). You also see more of him falling for her and various stages and their relationship seems more organic than other versions. I would check it out!
I think I'm going to have to blame you for all the time I'll be spending at home this summer! I'm going to follow your recommendations and start HC and LIT. You addressed my main reason for staying away from LIT and HC. I found the female lead to be so annoying at times in the TW version (it's a wonder why I watched the sequel) and in the K version. With HC, I'm worried I wouldn't be able to follow the politics and all the characters (I hear there's alot) since it's sadly not being recapped which I rely on to help clear up misunderstandings and things I missed.
Thanks :) that will put my current watching list at 8 by next OT:
Monstar, IHYV, Dating Agency Cyrano, HC, Love in Tokyo, Just You, a kdrama classic on my list (Coffee Prince is first on that list), and one of the new premieres.
there are a few of us (myself included) who find the female lead in HC incredibly witless. but others have lapped up the romance. for me, the other stuff like turf wars and complex relationships (not involving the female lead) are more interesting, that's where the dynamism of the drama lies.
What you said! Can't stand the female lead, she is dumber than a stump! The romance is for me the least interesting thing in the show. At least at this point it hasn't taken over the whole show. Hopefully that continues. :)
ha, i hope the romance dies a quick death (even though i know that's not possible, sigh). but i swear, if stupid Soo-min is the cause of Shi-hyun's death, or does something to hurt him terribly, i'll be the first to take a stake to her heart!
Well Safari is ex-police...which is a bit better? And Jin Sook so far doesn't seem to be undercover.
(When Soo mentioned that he should have just become police, I was like, NOOOOO DON'T EVEN JOKE ABOUT IT! lol I didn't think I'd ever be this adverse to bad guys being good guys pretending to be bad guys)
i have my suspicions about Jin-sook too. i don't like that she still seems to trust Safari after he betrayed Shi-hyun any number of times. as for Soo's joke, i admit, i laughed. hey at this rate, Pusan could be undercover too, maybe that's why Min wants to get rid of him so badly XD
Sorry, I just LOVE YOUR USERNAME "On a QIHM High." Queen Inhyun's Man was my favorite drama when it aired and is still my favorite a year later. The romance was so riveting and not one second did I think the writing was was lax. I'm just so glad they didn't pull the reincarnation stuff into QIHM like in Rooftop because that was messed up. The phone call was actually much better in that there were many phone-related connections introduced during the story.
anyways, just had to justify my love and yours. What is your take on the phone-talisman thing?
Link - Haha thanks! I loved the show! And the main OTP becoming a RL couple was icing on the cake :)
When it comes to the ending, I found the phone to be used in the plot for convenience. Which I don't particularly like, but given how much I enjoyed the show otherwise (and how much I wanted them to re-unite), I didn't terribly mind. It could have been weaved into the plot better but I accept its usage. So it's the slightly bitter seed in a seedless orange whose bitterness fades quickly due to the sweetness of the orange.
In the end, I don't want Soo to be dispensable, but I fear that's the direction it's going. DocSon cringed when Soo joked about not being police. I don't think Soo is on top of the game enough to be police - just a sscond tier contact person, which brings us back to his dispensability :(
Jung Kyung Ho is redefining "leading man/eye candy" with each episode.
It is an exceptional feat/triumph after one episode for viewers to consider the character Ji Hyeong-Min as the invisible man and continuously ask themselves "What is your purpose...Why do you exist?"
After the 1st episode, all you could think about was Doctor's Son!
First of all, Heartless City/Cruel City may still be one of the best K-dramas ever. (Potential SPOILERS ahead.) I was obviously disappointed not to see another *sizzling* love scene this week, but I thought the development on the Soo-min/Baksa relationship front was appropriate.
I guess, actually, that "development" would be about how I would sum up this week's episodes -- plot development (in that we learned -- I thought -- a lot more about how some of the various characters are connected and about what they, at least, think they are doing and why they are doing it) and character development (in that several of the key characters were allowed to reveal a little more humanity, or a little more vulnerability). So... I continue to be in love :)
Yeah, I was away from the K-drama world for a long time (not really sure why). I've ventured back (sort of sporadically) on OT the last few weeks, and I think I saw you had some surgery? I hope everything went well :)
Things are very up in the air in my life... basically, I need to find a new job, but I've done a lot of different things in the past, so I'm (debatably) qualified for a lot of quite different career paths, and I can't decide what direction I want to move in now...
Heartless City is certainly my obsession at the moment (and yes, it's mostly due to Baksa Adeul, but I do think it's a gripping story with gorgeous cinematography and tonally appropriate music and all that), and I'm thoroughly loving your squeecaps! (Thanks! :) )
So much to talk about this time. Sword and Flower: Watchin the first episode was like 'Oh, how beautiful scene, such colors' but wtf. Seriously, wtf about anything else. Even after ep 2 I can't put this drama anywhere. Maybe they needs 2-4 eps to be epic as promised?
Aaaand any Danish here? I'm moving next month to Denmark to study there for 3,5 years. Both sad and excited. Only 1 month at home.... but new places, faces and my bigest and the most secret hope is that maybe I'll have a Korean classmate. Little chance, but still :)
First things first - R.I.P. Dramacrazy, you will be sorely missed (like mysoju earlier). I remember when manga sites started going down three years ago, I honestly hope this is not the kdrama version of that.
I have caught up on exactly nothing this week (that is for the weekend, non?)but I did watch episode 1 of Sword and Flower, and I was not expecting it to be so...fusion-y. I like the Goguryeo setting and costumes better than the normal Joseon-era ones, and Kim Ok-bin looks GORGEOUS.
As for what is next on the list...
I Hear Your Voice - I don't know how this show manages to make me want to squee and sob, often within minutes of each other or simultaneously, but whatever they're on, I hope it continues.
Cruel City - No one better have called dibs on Jung Kyung-ho yet, because I have now declared him MY PRECIOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS and want to see more of his stony eyes and perfect biceps on my screen. I haven't yet watched episode 11, but for everyone who's watched episode 10 (I pointed this out at Shuk's too) - do note the absence of the pink bra (the one she's wearing when she's on top of him/he's on top of her) in the scene when he leaves the room! Too bad that slip stayed on too, though.
Monstar - Episode 7 was actually the strongest yet, and that was because it stuffed all the past angst away and let the kids (especially Nana) have their moment. I cannot be the only one who nearly busted a gut laughing at everyone conspiring to trap the poor Vice Principal using cars and excuses, or the full-on fight and its hilarious lead-in involving everyone chasing after everyone else.
Also I'm really feeling Sun-woo/Nana at the moment. There was definitely a moment of minor swoon for me when she ran out the door mid-fight and straight into his arms....
Cyrano Dating Agency - I keep saying this, but I'm surprised by how much I've come to like Min-young. Sooyoung's not a perfect actress by any means, but she makes me like a character who, on paper, could be really annoying - and the last time that happened to me was with Jang Geun-seuk and Park Shin-hye in You're Beautiful. Plus, I like confession time!
Random pogo musing of the week: has anyone else noticed those bright-but-muted matte lip tints the heroines of kdramas keep doing? Like Min-young in Cyrano (pink), Se-yi in Monstar (kind of...orange?), Chung-jo in the early episodes of the late, unlamented GFB (again, pink), and more recently, Mu-young in Sword and Flower (pink again!). And way back when, Han Je-hee in Nice Guy (red). It's like it's brightest in the centre and fades out towards the edges, and looks really, REALLY pretty.
(I may be back later with a note on worldbuilding and establishing rules for your fantasy dramas so endings are not pulled out of the writer's posterior, but it may be much later)
In regards to your "random pogo musing of the week," I've also noticed that! Actually, I recently watched a Michelle Phan (popular make up artist on YT) make up tutorial where she demonstrates how to get that effect. It's concealer or foundation on the outer parts of your lips and then the lip color is applied in the center and blended outwards. It gives the effect of smaller looking lips.
I've tried the look myself, without the foundation/concealer part (I own none) and it looks pretty either way - very much like I had most of my lipstick kissed off, only less messily than actual kissing :)
Or more accurately, like it wore off really nicely - something a good-quality lipstick should be able to do well.
pogo, I think we might have to start preparing ourselves. DC is looking a lot like the canary in the coal mine right now. Though I will say that it looks less grim for kdrama fans as jdrama fans, because at least kdrama fans have viki (and the Site Which Shall Not Be Named).
I really, REALLY hope not, because I don't get access to viki or Kdrama-watchers' Voldemort aka Site Which Must Not Be Named.
I don't like to download or torrent ( too slow, plus a show has to be really special before I consider actually giving it space on my hard disk, the last one that made the grade was Arang and the Magistrate) so streaming is my best option and now I live in fear that it will go :(
Noooooo. I wanted to call dibs on Jung Kyung-ho. Well... as long as you're okay with me calling him oppa while you call him your precious, I think we'll get along swimmingly! He's an amazing actor. I recently watched Gangster High and just... I think I died a little inside at the end. And I've been using Smile, You to prevent me from drowning in "Well, Baksa is probably going to die at the end of this" moodiness.
Baksa just seems so doomed, but I'm not distressed about that when it's so easy to get swept away by how amazing he is and JKH working that role like I've never seen him before.
I have a Seyi girlcrush on her lips and hair. I don't now much about special effects makeup, but surely the actresses you mentioned have plumped (lower) lips for effect?
Her lips and hair are amazing, really. And I do suppose that look needs a slightly full lower lip for the effect, though Sooyoung and Ha Yeon-soo pull it off with average-sized mouths too.
Happy Friday, everyone! Survived having family over for the 4th of July celebration. So, I'm happy and very relieved with that. While entertaining family, I kept thinking "the subs for IHYV should be up by now at Viki." Couldn't really watch, so was trying to sneak-read at Dramabeans. Making do with ep9, but barely got to read even that. Hopefully, I can squeeze in some time to watch ep 10, but there's a wedding tomorrow and I still don't have a dress! Oh, the quandary of a k-drama addict! How to make time!
Monstar: We finally see our band perform together and it was AWESOME! Looking forward to seeing who wins the thing and how the relationships between the characters are going to develop/getting fixed
NSP: WTF? I have never seen a drama with so little concept^^ Or did that drama even have one? I seriously don't know why I stuck with it to the end but I did.
YTBLSS: I really hope that we get more romance between LSS and JH because that's the only thing that keeps me invested.... I don't really care about anyone anymore but those two....Sad but true
DAC: The case was not spectacular but served its purpose and I like that we now have the confession of MY.
IHYV: is gonna be my end^^ I simply love it :)
Sword and Flower: Still have to watch ep 2. I am not completely on board yet... The next few episodes will decide if I stay with the drama or not.
Queen's Classroom: Episode 8 was great (the others were too)! And my eyes were definitely a bit moist :D I still think that teacher Ma's methods are questionable but I love the kids and how they decided to forgive Na Ri. The video message from the kids to Na Ri was really touching and I loved that the kids admitted that tehwy were at fault too.
And I can't say how glad I am that we finally get to Seo Hyun and her story! I am convinced that Ha Na, Bo Mi and Dong Goo are going to be the ones to get through to Seo Hyun but it'll be tough. I am just glad that we finally see some more of Kim Sae Ron's acting because I really like her and up to now she was kind of tossed aside.
I haven't been able to watch the first episodes of Goddess of Fire but I will catch up with those in the next few days and then I decide if it stays or gets dropped^^
As for variety:
WGM: I am watching for the Jinwoon-Junhee couple but I love the episodes were all the couples are together :D
RM: Another funny episode which has made me curious about the whole blobbing thing (and may I say I just love Ji Hyo and her happy face when she gets tossed in the air! She truly is the Ace =) )^^
BFF: I finally caught up with some episodes (I skipped the first ones abroad because there was so much second hand embarrassment^^) and while it is nothing special I do enjoy the show. I liked the episodes with Lee Hyori although it felt more like watching Family Outing at one point which makes me miss that show!)
The diving episodes were great to watch and I have so much respect for all of them! I myself don't really dare to jump from 3m so I feel with them when standing on those platforms. I can't even imagine jumping off 5m so kudos to the ones who dared to jump!
Looking forward to the competition against the idols (well mostly because Lee Joon is going to be there^^) :)
ONVS: I finally started watching Our neighbourhood variety sports and I guess I'll be continuing (just watched one episode). Well what can I say...give me variety mixed with sports and I am all in^^ And I have kind of adapted to Kang Ho Dong^^ I am so used to Yoo Jae Suk and his style that I had some trouble with Ho Dong at first (so shouty) but I can live with that by now^^
Happy Together: Just watching when there are guests I really want to see. So I watched the episode with Lee Joon and I was really surprised about his thinking. He is known for being stingy but I think with what he said on the show he proved that he is very thoughtful when it comes to money and ho he spends it (which makes me love him even more^^).
Happy Friday! For those stateside hope everyone had a nice 4th of July! I should have spent the day catching up on all the dramas I am behind on but instead i spent it attempting to barbeque (charcoal) for the first time. It wasn't a success unfortunatley... My friend and I did watch the movie The thieves which I had been wanting to watch for some time. It was enjoyable but a little underwhelming in light of the monster hit I knew it was in Korea.
I am really behind on dramas these days partly because I have started dating. Its been awhile since I have really dated and I seriously forgot how much time it takes. All the phone and text conversations, going out on the actual dates not to mention getting ready for the dates, is it bad that to a degree I think this is time i could be watching dramas! lol Ha i guess i don't think about that in the moment, it more like when I realize its 11:30pm on Thursday night and I have 6 hours of drama watching if I want to be current for Friday's Open thread!
Needless to say i am not current so I will just go on a rant about the most WTF drama and finale I have ever watched (Finally beats Love Forward as most WTF drama!) in nearly three years of drama watching. Ofcourse I am talking about Nail Shop Paris. Now I know this type of show does not call for any kind of analysis and is just to be enjoyed mindlessly however I just can't let it go that easily.
So let me get this straight - Bunny is in fact the half gumiho/half human child of the owner of the nail shop who had to abandon Bunny because she feared she would be discovered due to her lack of aging when her plan to become human after marrying Bunny's dad didn't work. She sets up the nail shop that hires only hot men and finds men who are Helpers/hunters(?) so that if Bunny falls in love with them she might become human. She somehow knew that bunny would infiltrate the Nail shop pretending to be a boy, so that she could get inspiration for her online novel about Gumihos and Hunters. In the end thought Bunny (rightfully) chooses Kay and Alex goes to the US to study (nail art?) 6 years later they have a kid who is obviously a gumiho. Which means that bunny is not human. But its ok because guess what Alex is half gumiho as well and will always be by her side. I think the phrase that best encompasses that finale and show as a whole is "That shit cray!! Sigh there were so many things that I didn't mention like Alex inexplicably falling in love with Bunny after finding out she was really girl (or more puzzling that Alex had no idea she was female despite being able to diagnose cancer by looking at someone one finger nails). There were also the customer cases of the week which had nothing to do with the Gumiho plot that took up the whole last episode. Sigh i am going to end there as I know i have written too much about this show that really makes no damn sense. I would have loved to be in the writers room when they were coming up with the script though..
Anyway looking forward to catching up with Heartless City(SO FREAKING GOOD) and ICHYV this weekend.
Anyone watching any of the new dramas? Whats worth checking out.
Also random last question why when you tell someone you have addiction to Korean dramas and only really listen to Kpop do they immediatley ask you if you basically have asian fetish? Tips for how to better break the news of the Kdrama and Kpop addictions to your dates would be appreciated!
Oh wow! I droped Nail Shop in the first episode, and reading your summary I can only go WTF? Just what?
Uhm, tips for breaking it: uhm.. I've never been asked if I have an asian fetish. When it gets brought up I just say that I like them, and that's about that. You could always use the "guilty pleasure" excuse I suppose, but it shouldn't be a problem if you just explain that you like them, and why?
Ha thanks! Hoping I get to experience the other cliches (Piggy back rides, getting my seatbelt fastened for me, kisses in the rain, a abundance of namebrand/fashionable clothes and accessories that magically appear in my closet, etc).
Haha those cliches would be nice indeed to experience! I'll just have to find a guy first :p (but seriously, I feel like I'm permanently stuck in the cliche role as "the friend"; though I suppose there could be worse places to be stuck..)
Woah, woah. I had no idea Nail Shop Paris was full of so much... stuff. I think I'll just look up the nail designs online instead of putting myself through that!
I've always felt a bit of judgement whenever I mention that I watch Asian dramas and listen to Asian music (mostly kpop, in fact my music library is probably 80% non-English) whenever it comes up. I've been asked if I've was obsessed along with the fetish thing. As a result, I generally add that I also like to enjoy other foreign media (which is true, but not nearly as much as the amount of kdramas and kpop I indulge in). I've come to realize that people who make quick (and offensive) judgements based on that are missing out on the other positives like being interested in other cultures than your own and exposure to such things is often times a reflection of being open minded. Thus, those people aren't worth my time or your time. I think you should just say it as you would describe any other hobby or interest. I'm weary about calling it a 'guilty pleasure' when there shouldn't be anything to be guilty about!
And congrats on the new dating life! I'll continue to live through others for the time being, haha :).
The nail design were nothing to write home about (In fact a lot of them were really grotesque in my opinion, lol).
Its been a interesting experience regarding disclosing my k-culture love. I think becoming a drama fan in the first place was a very freeing thing because it is so random and different than most people that you are kind of forced to own it. My attitude especially for the last year is to make no apologies for it because i like so it doesn't matter if people don't get it.
However regarding dating it seems a bit harder to do that. I have tried to maintain the posture of this is what I like and it is what it is. But at the same time it hard to not be aware or conscious of people you might be interested in thinking you are weird. I haven't had any real issues arise from it as i am still in very early stages. But its just a different experience...
Kind of a random question... is there anyone around here from Saudi Arabia, or anyone with experience living or working in Saudi Arabia? I'm sort of considering trying to get a teaching job there, and would love to hear anybody's perspective on what it's really like for a Western female there.
I am up to ep 10- it's odd, but the theme that appearances trump all is carried out to the extreme and it's done well and all within the realm of believability. It's not going to be up there with my all-time favorites, but I'm loving Jin Young in it ~
Hello Beanies! It's been a while. My vacation plans had been a jumbled mess so it was a slow and arduous task of trying to play catch up with dramas. But catch up I surely did. The details are as follows:
1. Heartless City: watched until episode 9 when I couldn't take the stupidity and bad writing anymore. Actually, what really and finally put me off was hottie Baksa Adeul falling in love with the heroine without apparent reason when all he did was stare at her. Not enough a reason to fall in love in my books. Then, all the good guys (basically the cops except Baksa) irritate me to no end and the heroine is blegh in acting and character. I'm just going to read the SqueeCaps instead since they're much more time-saving and interesting (thanks to the ladies who write them).
2. I Hear Your Voice: I wasn't going to watch this but when you have Girlfriday raving about the show in the beginning of every recap, then you just have to put your blegh feelings where noona romances are concerned and attempt watching. Gotta say, I fell in love super hard and I am actually rooting for Soo Ha and Hye-sung. It's also funny how this show has three actors (the heroine, the dorky lawyer, and the villain) who had played roles in which I absolutely hated them as characters, lol. So it was like a whoah moment watching them all be amazing within the first two episodes.
3. Monstar: watched about 3 episodes and quit it. Just not my type of drama.
4. Dating Agency Cyrano: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. This drama makes me want to fall in love even if it's orchestrated by an agency. Next episode's precap/preview has me squeeing in excitement. I can't wait for this newest mission between the main leads. Really hoping for Byung-hoon and Min-young to get together.
5. 1N2D: Had quit this long back and I can understand JB's and GF's reasons for no longer recapping this. Nonetheless, it was a good experience reading the recaps.
6. Scandal: started watching this. Ep 1 was boring and Ep 2 picked up some of the action. I don't know where this story is going to go but I'm watching for Park Sang-min and Kim Jae-won until it becomes utterly unbearable. Also, super glad to see the heroine no longer sporting that mushroom bowl cut.
Hit and run post. Hi to all!! Hope all is well!
I'm still watching and in love with..
1. Heartless City (cruel city) Baska & cutie Soo 4ever!
2. IHYV please writers stop making My baby Soo-Ha suffer, and bring him back to normal. Oh and the bastard is not dead!
3. Monstar.. I just love this show.
Lastly I recently saw "a crazy little thing called love" and I died, its soo cute!!! I want more!!!
I hope someone can help me out with this because it has been bugging me all week. Sometime last summer, I came across a blog I can't remember the name of where the blogger had written this pretty awesome multi-part analysis of You're Beautiful, specifically defending Mi-nyu as a heroine. I remember enjoying reading the whole thing, but for some reason I don't seem to have it bookmarked, and I usually bookmark reviews I really like. Google searches have not availed me in my quest. I think the same blogger also wrote a defense of Oh Mok-dan in Gaksital, but I don't think I read it at the time because I hadn't watched Gaksital yet and didn't want to be spoiled. I think. If anyone has come across these posts and knows where they came from, can you point me in the right direction? You will be forever appreciated and many kdrama blessings will reign down upon you. :)
Thanks MeeisLee! I hope someone is familiar with the blog. This is really bothering me! I was getting ready to compile a list of my favorite reviews. Now that I am trying my hand at reviewing, I wanted to have some examples around me to use as inspiration!
In drama news...I have finally finished Gokusen (all three seasons, two specials, and the movie). Unsurprisingly, season one remained my favorite. I was really happy about all the cameos in the movie though. This now opens up room to start a new jdrama, and with all the recommendations I have been getting over the past few months, I don't think I will have a problem finding one. I have lots of ideas. :)
As for kdramas, I just started watching Life is Beautiful this week. I had promised myself that I would only watch one long-running family drama at a time (and I was already watching Ojakgyo Brothers), but I just couldn't wait. I really like having that slice-of-life break from all the other dramas. Heard many good things about this one and looking forward to watching how it plays out (plus, it's set on Jeju, so hopefully that means we'll get some good scenery when the characters are out and about).
Gokusen <3 found memories about that show, movies specials and all seasons included. Though yes I did like the first one better I think, though also liked the second one. Felt that the movie was better than the third season, although nicely tied in (still wish Shin would have made an appearance in it though..)
I think I saw something like that on tumblr, actually. Someone posted a list of stuff about kdrama heroines and one of the links was a defense of Mok-dan and the same writer also wrote a series of posts about Mi-neo of You're Beautiful. So you should try looking there!
Thankyouthankyouthankyou whimsyful! Your suggestion to check tumblr totally jogged my memory and I was able to find the post I was looking for! Turns out I DID have it buried in my bookmarks, but it just wasn't listed under the title I was expecting so I got confused. I feel so relieved right now. :P
I finally got my 50th rejection for stories. I need to get stronger so I can send more per year. The only issue I have is that the magazines only allow you to send one at a time. Or I'd send it to all of them at once. Making it faster.
I'm also trying to brush up on my math. Particularly College Algebra. =P Arithmetic was never my strong suit since I kind of have trouble reading numbers and remembering the order of numbers. (Math is also the reason I scored lower on my IQ test. If not for that, I'd have scored higher.) Any suggestions?
Also taking a class on the side. I wonder, though if I should have gone for the 70 an hour (US) job instead. I keep thinking that. (Part Time, so it's more like 35 total).
***
Samgyeopsal phrases
Mostly because I'm craving some and no one will go with me. (My cousins promised me last December... and it hasn't happened.) TT
여기 불판 갈아주세요.
Yeo-gi pul-p'an ga-ra-ju-seh-yo
Please change the grill.
Please bring me some water
물 좀 주세요.
Mul chom juseyo
Don't make it spicy
맵지 않게 해주세요
Maepchi ahngae haechusaeyo
Don't make it too salty, please
짜지않게해주세요
ja-ji an-gae hae-ju-se-yo
Please bring me the check
여기 계산서 좀 가져오세요.
Yogi kyesanso chom kajuseyo
***
Also working on my drama script. Jebal Chaebeol. I have more sympathy for the writers now.
So far I've learned:
Plotting is harder than I thought in a script. Things go faster than I thought they would. Pacing is difficult in a script as well. I've written scripts before, but I didn't really have to pace it over a long period of time, so writing three acts wasn't so bad. I think I have a bad sense of pacing.
This makes me think that this explains the worse scripts of the last few years--guessing at pacing and not running out of material is harder than I thought--without having experience how to do it.
Book writing is easier since there isn't a time clock to punch. And you don't have to pay attention to the three act structure. (Which is extended in Korean dramas. Technically it's ~90 minutes spread with a 3 act structure with a break in the middle of the second act.)
I also learned that Daniel Henney is an awesome person who slayed me with his real life talk of the love of dogs, traveling and family. (I'm researching the actors I put into the script) I also like his moral convictions~ It's nice when someone that hawt has the morals to match. It's never the face that gets to me, it's always the personality.
***
New Dramas.
Cyrano is still back burner. Still, the woman needs a talent.
I Hear Your Voice. Mother was awesome. NOOO. I actually like the use of amnesia for once and the switch. At this point it's obvious, though whose going to end up with who.
I'm not watching Goddess of Marriage. It was dull. I mean I liked the plane scene and that was about it.
Goddess of Fire. I'm going to watch up until the makjang.
Empire of Gold. Not watching. I don't like this genre in Korean dramas.
Waiting for: Heirs and Master of the Sun.
I'm expecting this from Master of the Sun: More quieter moments like in Big. Better, rounder characters. More situational comedy than the ones before Big. The theming will most likely center around Muism (done properly since they are that type), and Life and Death (which they touched on in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, but never really explored. Best guess: They probably will pull in some dark humor which they've been playing with in Hong Gil Dong. The tone might go towards horror, more like Chilling Romance type... I fully expect it not to be a roller coaster like Greatest Love. More like Haunted House, House of Mirrors as a best guess. And of course Meta because they have a lot to pull from--movies, dramas, etc. Arang, for example. I think they might also play more with the pacing as well. (Not nailing it so much as matching it with the tone). I'm also thinking that they want to try their hand at nailing subtle along with the pacing as well. They've been playing with it for a while and I get the feeling that they aren't satisfied yet with it. They've been dropping it in since Hong Gil Dong here and there, but the pacing has mostly been eating it alive. I think they also want to try "scary" along with the funny which is something I would want to try going off of My Girlfriend is a Gumiho--they never really got there.
Some of that will definitely make Javabeans and girlfriday upset at them. They've never been huge fans of the subtle literary. See complaints about KES and not getting it (summary of their words). But the Hong Sisters have been heading towards wanting to do some of that, as evidenced by how much fiction they do consume from the Meta. They probably will not like the sacrifice everything to the theme too. (I've observed that from previous dramas).
What I enjoy about the Hong Sisters is that each drama they do they try to address weaknesses they had from previous ones.
BTW: Big's theme was maturity. It explains everything.
KES I'm going to thoroughly enjoy since she always writes subtle and does it gently. She never goes for the amusement park ride and you have to pay attention to get all of it. The down side is that you need the mood to do so. But as a fan of Slice of Life which demands similar, I'm willing to go for that. She also does unexpected, though in a different way. I think she has a lot of what the Hong Sisters wish they had a bit more of or could write. (I can understand that.)
*** Game
Name all of the good mothers and grandmothers of Korean dramas and why you like them. This will defeat the LSS mothers. =P Also overturn the idea that it's the majority. (It's more mother in laws, isn't it? May as well throw those in too.)
Sword and flower: All the pretty in the world can't make up for the lack of plot and my boredom towards it. I never follow pretty. I follow story, and this seems to have a lack of one.
BTW, I told you so on Gu Family Book. I quit early on since I detected a writer who didn't have a good handle on things. I have a talent for figuring it out early on. =P I predict plot outcomes.
WTF Paris actually got more WTF? Haha. I guess the story about the Mudang and the whole sucking out energy will go down as one of the worst episodes ever in Korean history. (individual)
The other dramas I finished recently I also enjoyed.
In IHYV, Will Jang Hye Sung choose Park Soo Ha or Cha Kwan Woo?
One of the posters for the show has her at the aquarium holding closely walking in the same direction as Cha Kwan Woo but looking in the direction of Park Soo Ha.
I did not realize that LJS was lead ... works for me. I have been holding off because I don't want my heart broken in end. So now I can watch the last 3 episodes ... I have been reading recaps only.
And you were right - the cracks were showing as early as episode 1, with that cheesy flashback before poor Dam's suicide, but the worldbuilding flaws (which play into the ending, too) were REALLY apparent by the time the show came around to Lee Seung-gi.
Basically, wen you have a fantasy world, it's a good idea to establish, or slowly reveal, rules about it. Queen In0hyun's Man and Arang and the Magistrate are two dramas that I felt did that really well - they might have come to their endings by 'cheats' but at least their cheats (reincarnation, time travel) were things that were addressed in the story BEFORE the ending, and explained by characters who learn/come by their knowledge in a way that makes sense.
GFB on the other hand, it felt like that bloody monk was just making it all up as he went along (he knows more about gumihos than the dude who's actually been a gumiho for a thousand years! He can tell some random chick on the street whining about her love life to avoid peach trees at night! He can tell she's going to die if she falls in love......a danger which is never even hinted at until the very end, in tone or content, which basically makes the 'prophecy' seem like no big deal at all...and oh yeah, he knows so much about gumiho blood healing that he can confidently tell our hero you can only do it once), .............all this while no one has any idea why this old dude basically makes the rules. Is he a god? A gumiho expert? The dude who made up all the magic? It's really annoying to have the monk acting like Yoda, because even Yoda's knowledge was explainable by the fact that he was, you know, a Jedi. A Jedi master, at that.
And let's not even mention the fact that no one even brings up reincarnation until that clusterfrak ending. If you're going to use a deus ex machina, have it show up in your story before, for heaven's sake!
Kim Yoonmi sshi! Hi! How have you been? How come Cyrano is on the back burner? I actually liked it contrary to my expectations. It's also my first in the Oh Boy series.
More of my feminist leanings. She doesn't actually contribute anything to the agency beyond that she's a girl.
I went over it in quite a bit of detail in previous posts.
Summed up: The one time she had some agency with the in agency, Seo Il Rok still had to help her out. I didn't find that sweet at all. And the ones where she was doing it on her own, was short-lived.
It's not that I mind the light hearted... it's that the character has no weight. If she has no talent, then it makes the romance look unstable leading to a giant plot hole.
Min Yeong's virtue in the story is that she believes in romance while the male lead does not. That's OK. But then it doesn't really contribute to what she does in the agency. She's not the first to jump on to tell people to not give up. She's not the first to state that she thinks they will last. She's not the one that argues Seo Il Rok down that the scheme won't work. In another words, she hasn't proved any of that really through her own actions. And her virtue of being able to listen isn't implemented nor does it affect any plot, because Seo Il Rok takes that from her too. Ditzy is fine. But she can also stumble towards the correct answer in a different way from her male counterparts AND occasionally be right over her male counterparts without any help.
It's the same complaint I had about the other Min Yeong in All about my Romance. She only liked him because she pitied him. What happens when that pity stops? Divorce? Pity isn't a stable love either. If someone said they loved me because they pitied me, that's time to dump them. That's not a good romance.
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's you!!! So happy to see you here! Was so worried. Glad to have you back.
Also awaiting Heirs. Forgot what Masters of the Sun is about..so will see.
I wonder what's the problem with your story getting accepted. 50 rejections is hard, though. Any other stories you've been subbing or only that one you mentioned last time? Email me your story if you wish and I'll look over it.
SCIFIWRITIR (AT) GMAIL.COM is my public email.
One of the good things to do to get published is to aim for themed anthologies. In that way, you know kinda what they are aiming for.
Thanks. I've been submitting a lot of different stories. So that's cumulative of all of the rejections I've gotten so far.
I'm aiming for 100 at least... It's more celebrating that I got rejected than being down for it. No answer is worse. Gotta keep trying, especially since I tend to write stories with PoCs and women, I know my rejection rate will be higher. (I also like borrowing story conventions from other countries when I set the story in those other countries, which always gets me into trouble. I was told that it was "wrong", etc.)
I'm shooting for semi-pro and pro mags mostly. I want the benchmark for myself.
regarding algebra, maybe you already know about it, but just in case - try visualizing algebra at udacity https://www.udacity.com/course/ma006
it's essentially an intermediate remedial algebra class, and while the description can be off-putting, i really, really recommend it. its methodology is incredible, it subtly builds up and changes the way you think about math and math problems. i think it would be especially good for you, since it emphasizes the visualizing. it made me solve math problems for fun which i never thought could happen.
they also offer a college algebra course, but from the little i've seen it's not half as fun as visualizing algebra, and a short intro algebra review. udacity is awesome because unlike edx and coursera it allows you to do everything at your own pace.
if you're interested in logic and mathematical thinking you may try intro to mathematical thinking at coursera when it's offered again (you can find the videos on torrent sites too, and watch it at your own pace). i haven't gone through it yet, but apparently there are people who started liking math and numbers after taking it because it showed them what math is really about (logic).
btw try reading an article called Lockhart's lament. It might change how you view math :)
I have more trouble with the numbers than the theory of math.
I tend to suck at memorization, arithmetic and numbers.
I can do the math theory stuff, though, quickly. When I got to Sin and Cosin in High School, I got it more quickly than my classmates... I don't even mind trig at all.
I think it's number dyslexia... and also sometimes my brain gets ahead of itself leading to serious errors. (i.e. I've figured it out intuitively but I have to always back up to figure how to get there step by step so I can get the physical answer.)
I'm also trying not to spend too much money on it either...
it sounds like dyscalculia, math logic obviously isn't an issue at all. but i have to admit i don't completely believe in it, as far as i remember no brain scan has ever proved it. i'm more inclined to believe that it's like with people who suck at sports, but are good at various physical exercises or dancing. you might look up sites which offer advice for people with dyscalculia, like dyscalculia.org.
khan academy has awesome (also free) videos and exercises for everything math related, including basic arithmetic, pre-algebra etc. i guess my only advice is to just keep solving simple arithmetic problems until it becomes a reflex/second nature, since that's the only way of overcoming difficulties. you also might get some book on vedic mathematics or something like secrets of mental math http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0307338401 (it's awesome and not expensive)
i've never tried any book on memorization and using mnemonics, but i guess that could help too? i'm sure there are a lot of sites that offer simple mnemonic techniques for numbers for free. math exercizes too. you don't need to spend too much money on it at all, thankfully the internet is full of free stuff, it's just a matter of finding them ;)
in any case, good luck! i hope you'll get better in no time! (and of course good luck with your submissions too!)
btw, as for cyrano dating agency, i totally get your point, but one can say that min young has a talent for PR and interpersonal relationships :) not much compared to the boys, but it's something.
Oori Appa has a version. He writes his nines like my brother, but has trouble writing it in the correct direction. His nines always end up backwards--he has trouble remembering how its written. He also has trouble with the order of numbers I probably inherited it from him, though it took several years for me to figure it out. (Since we were separated for my childhood) (I write my nines differently than either of them... my brother doesn't write his nines like our adoptive parents... I do. =P)
My brother doesn't have it at all. He likes math and is good with numbers. He always remembered phone numbers twice as fast as I did. I could always remember which numbers were in it and count the amounts, but not the order they came in.
My dad tried to teach me math theory when he was teaching me addition, multiplication and addition as he got a little frustrated that I was slower. My brother got it two times faster that it became a ritual that my Dad would tell him to shush. My Dad was the type to teach and talk about math theory, the theories of how the universe ran by the time I was in fourth grade. (Not Appa).
My Math teacher from High School said she also tends to mix up the order of numbers too.
I once misread a number in my fifth grade class and mixed up the last two digits and ended up staying up until 1 in the morning trying to solve a repeating long division, but since I didn't know what it was I kept trying to get it to solve. Haha. =P It was only when I realized 1 It's repeating. 2. I'm using 3 pieces of paper to solve this thing. 3. Wait, is that the right number? that I finally quit. The next day we did repeating numbers, much to my chagrin.
I make a lot of those errors. =P My math teachers told me to slow down, think it through, write it down so I don't get confused.
I want to say congratulations on receiving your 50th rejection. It shows persistence.
In life insurance, a sales man is expected to talk to 100 people to make 10 appointments to get 1 sale. That means, he is rejected 99 times before 1 sale. It takes a certain kind of person to not give up in the face of 99 rejections. That person is successful.
I submitted a story to a magazine when I was a fearless teenager. Of course it wasn't good enough for publication, but I took it so hard that I never submitted another story. I was discouraged by one harsh rejection. Don't you be.
end of unsolicited advice. (all well meant, of course)
The road to success is paved with failures. So I'm not sad at all. I wish I could do it faster...
Definitely the ability to not give up is a virtue.
Besides, I think if I get rejected more on the path of trying to diversify what's being written about in terms of what cultures and people are in the world, I rather that that than write, say white straight male of one religion every time as my main character.
Currently I watched all dramas that on my TV. So on KBSW, Shark and Mandate of Heaven. How come I never notice Kim Nam Gil before but his younger self or Chulryong from Mr.Kim is daebak. Mandate of Heaven... i try not to read the recaps before the epis been aired but it hard. Why there is no bromance scene between the crown prince and Won. But I never expect Seulong can act that way. He must be in heaven to get act with those talented actors.
Then on SBS/OneHD, IHYV is really good remind me of Law/Order SVU mash up with Ghost Whisperer mash up with Criminal Minds. I skipped Jang Ok Jung for obvious reason.
On other channel, Vampire Prosecutor2 and FBRS currently on repeat. Finally I don't care about The Pole coz he got the girl IRL.
BTW, in my country there is a drama online with a Korean actor acting. He is a rookie and have been extra on IRIS. He is good looking too. He speak fluent Malay and a bit of English.
wee~ I've been in need of some cheering up lately and I thought Queen's Classroom would do the job - because it's a kdrama about elementary school kids, so I figured it would be adorable.
And the kids are pretty cute.
But omg so dramatic - didn't expect that. (I should have.)
But now I'm a little confused about the teacher: she's treating the children asif they're living in Sparta, but not everything she says is wrong. But she IS pretty cruel. Not sure if I'm supposed to hate her or respect her. He being everywhere in the background just creeps me out though - nice contrast with the cuddliest principal ever *__*
Other than that, I'm still watching IHYV (favourite atm~) and YTBLSS (Still haven't dropped it... Why?) and Cyrano~
But I'll have to put my dramawatching on hold for when I go to China since I won't be having internet for a while - I'll be on a road trip without laptop. But... I want to know how IHYV will end!!!
I think I've been ranting in my comments so gonna keep this short.
IHYV and Heartless City are my crack right now. IHYV is hitting the right emotional beats for me and the acting is phenomenal (LJS!!). The plot for HC is going a bit awry but I've come to love it enough to overlook the flaws. (p.s. Shi Hyun x Soo OTP anyone? hehe)
I'm not looking forward to the arranged marriage arc on Tokyo Kiss. I wanted Naoki to be more conflicted - maybe episode 14 will have that?
DAC and Monstar are fun to watch, although I'm enjoying the former more than the latter. I'm liking Min Young a lot and the drama is doing a good job of maintaining a balance between light, comical parts and more angsty, broody parts.
Running man 152 was a hoot to watch. And yay, more ace Ji-hyo screentime. Looking forward to the next episode.
Also watching Just You. But just watching for the bickering, so gonna drop when the angst hits. (Shallow, I know :P)
i think Heartless City has hit a bit of mid-drama fatigue, in that it feels like certain plot points keep recycling themselves. Shi-hyun takes one step forward and two steps back thanks to the two interfering women in his life. Jin-sook does something seemingly for Shi-hyun's good, but in the end Shi-hyun is the one to clean up her mess. Safari betrays Shi-hyun again. Hyung-min and Soo-min being stupid.
i'm hanging in there for the bromance and the turf wars. but writer needs to up the ante soon.
1) Rewatched Haken no Hinkaku. And enjoyed it even more the second time around.
2) I'm in uni right now, and I was worrying about course registration because we're given a time/day to enroll based on lottery and it affects what we can enroll in (courses fill up, popular times fill up, etc.). Luckily I got one of the earliest times so feeling fairly relieved and happy :) Now, just have to worry about the 2500 word essay due in about a week. Eep.
I checked out the original too, but I like this version so much better... it's acappella and and live-recorded, not lip-synched. Plus, they DO everything the whole time, the cups and singing...
I'm worrying about course registration as well. It's been open for a couple of weeks now but for some reason it's giving me trouble since there's apparently some stuff I have to submit and do before I can save my seat. I think I'm going to get the left-over crumbs classes :(. But congratz and good luck with that essay! Sounds like a downer though! I'm not looking forward to it in a litle less than 2 months from now.
Aw that sucks :( Hopefully you'll get some of the classes you want. And thanks! I'm not looking forward to the essay but at least I'm not juggling other courses at the same time. That's for when I'm back in school :P
An American BOF remake - I'm not sure the cultural elements are there. I watch kdramas because they are not like American shows...so I don't see the appeal of the concept.
In between trying to follow what's happening in Egypt this week (is it a "coup"?) and (lamentably) getting sucked into this George Zimmerman trial (if you want to understand some of the key divisions in American society today, just take a look at how this trial is being covered), I also made some time yesterday to watch one of the BEST 4th of July movies ever -- Independence Day! And the reason why? Jeff Goldblum... tall, dark, smart, nerdy... SO sexy and hot...
Jeff Goldblum I remember first seeing him in a theater on the big screen. He drove up in some amazing sports car, got out in his dress suit, about to go into a night club/disco. My jaw just dropped. I think it was "Thank God It's Friday" or "Saturday Night Fever" ... some flick about disco. Ever since, no matter what Jeff appears in, I am there. My whole passion for "Earth Girls Are Easy" can be explained by Jeff's presence in that film.
Yeah, Jeff Goldblum is HOT. I remember when I first saw Independence Day, way back when it first came out (I know I'm showing my age here :) ), with a bunch of MIT frat guys, and somehow his character in the movie got all blurred up in my mind with my frat guy friends (there's a point in the movie when he says something about having gone to MIT), and for a long time afterwards, I couldn't be attracted to anyone except a tall, dark, computer scientist (preferably from MIT)...
The majority of my boyfriends were brilliant computer guys, including one who got his doctorate from MIT and now teaches at Berkley. Genius is so damn sexy!
Happy Friday Beanies. Hope you are enjoying your summer.
The one show that I am waiting eagerly for each week? Barefoot Friends. I think I am finally starting to understand the attraction long time viewers have to variety shows. I care that 2 of the actors are injured, and I hope all are well and back to the show soon.
Hi~ This is my first comment on this lovely site and I actually wanted to ask for clarification about something. In a lot of posts and comments, I see references to a 'Candy' or 'Candy-girl' type character and I must admit that I have no idea what that means. Can anyone explain it to me?
Thanks and have a great weekend!
Hello and welcome! :) I think there might be an explanatory post somewhere, but the short answer is that a Candy heroine is the hard working (usually poor) heroine who has a sunny disposition but no ability to stand up for herself whatsoever. A bit of a martyr like figure in a way. Common prey for Evil Mother In Law characters.
Hello and thank you so much for the welcome and the explanation. Now that it's been outlined, I have definitely seen that character type before in dramaland.
a 'candy' if often a hardworking, nice, innocent girl, often from a poorer family. If you look at a lot of female leads in dramas they tend to be the 'candy girl' types.
I said I was going to post today and, gosh darnit, I am!
Hey ya'll! Happy OT weekend. :)
I've just finished Panda And Hedgehog, and cannot thank the Twitter OT crowd enough for suggesting it to me. It took a while to get into it b/c of my crazy crazy schedule, but once my life calmed down a bit, it was a total blast. I only had one serious can't-suspend-the-kdrama-disbelief-any-longer moment, but it wasn't anything worth kicking up a fuss about. Surprisingly enough, a lot of the secondary characters (Won Yi!) were my faves.
I'm just starting (like tonight) Queen In Hyun's Man. Again, the Twitter OT says it's a good follow-up to Panda so I'm gonna trust them. You guys haven't steered me wrong yet :D
Personally, I am seriously writing again! Wish me luck ;)
*waving*
I was hoping to see you at the ot meet up a few months ago. I really liked a lot of panda and hedgehog. The secondary characters really added life into the show at just the right moment. Won Yi especially. QiHM will spoil you for time travel dramas. I followed it up with Nine and Faith. I like a lot of faith but the acting wasn't as great . Hope everything is well with you
![[Drama chat] Your current top 10 dramas (2024 version)](https://d263ao8qih4miy.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/WWW_01132024.jpg)
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1 Saya
July 5, 2013 at 6:24 AM
Hi everyone! Happy OT Friday!
So last week I asked you guys about your thoughts about the maturity/age difference between drama characters, specifically between Suha and Hye-sung. To me, Suha being in high school was nothing but a different romance DID bother me - in Flower Boy Ramyun Shop, between Chi-soo and Eun-bi. It wasn't so much the age difference as the fact that he was a student and she was his teacher. I found that really, really problematic and not okay, and I was surprised that the DB recaps weren't really troubled by that.
Is this a culture value judgement on my side? Even when I moved all the preconceptions and stuff in my head around, I still wasn't comfortable with it until they took it out of the teacher-student context. What did you guys think?
I Hear Your Voice:
I almost have nothing to say (so watch me say a lot!). Ep 10 left me in a place where I'm not on tenterhooks about anything. Just a few thoughts:
- That little whimper when he realised it was Hye-sung. My heart hurt. It was such a lost, broken, helpless thing, and in that moment it was as if he was tiny Suha next to his dad in the car. :(
- I'm sure he'll get his memory back, but I wonder if Suha will get his mind-reading ability back. That was never a natural ability to start with, so it wouldn't be impossible for that to flash out of his life as fast as it flashed in.
- Is his memory loss more of a fugue? But if he was going to fugue, wouldn't it have made sense that that happened 10 years ago, too? Plus, it would have been brought on by something so traumatic he couldn't handle it sanely. What on earth happened on that dock?
- Ep10 was slower, but I loved the little moments in it - like Choong Ki reading his diary to him, how you could follow up with CK and Seong-bin (I love that she is a nail-artist!), and I'm glad we got more backstory on Attorney Shin's convict friend.
And now: random questions!
1. Girl-bodyguards (i.e. Nana and her colleague in City Hunter): WHY were they always wearing 4-inch heels, WHY? Surely their regulation uniforms would require them to wear something sensibly flat so they can, you know, RUN. SAFELY.
2. What's the reason for dramas shooting so fast and feature films shooting so slowly? Also, is there a good reason why films make more money?
3. How big are korean cockroaches?
4. And because I'm curious and beginning to know 'faces' and I like context: where in the world are you posting from? What other languages do you speak? And because I'm English: what's the weather like? XD
Lastly!
Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting is starting next week. I like to fast from the internet, too, so this is my last OT until next month! Have a good month everyone, enjoy IHYV ending and Master's Sun starting without me!
Shout out to alua and anyone around the London (UK) area: last week, alua suggested meeting up for a movie night at the Korean Cultural Centre in Central London (just off Trafalgar square): is anyone else interested?
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Mama J
July 5, 2013 at 6:43 AM
Saya, you will be missed! See you next month. Until last week, I was content with Su Ha's lovely crush on Lawyer Jang and wanted it to continue that way but he's doing such a great job of the role that after the kiss, I totally want him to grow up and get her. Right now, yes, too young - but mostly due to his PLACE in life at the moment. When he has more of the trappings of adulthood, the age won't matter to me at all. He has more than proven himself an able and supportive partner for her. I luff him. I luff Cha, too, but it's Su Ha for me, all the way. And it totally WAS NOT...so all credit to LJS for his acting.
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 6:57 AM
Thanks JoAnne! I'll miss you guys, too!
I've been pleasantly surprised with LJS's acting. I didn't expect him to be bad, it's just that every time I see him, he's so much better than I expected him to be. In those tiny things - like that whimper. How many people would have nailed that? Happy sigh.
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blkasian
July 5, 2013 at 12:31 PM
Does anyone know the age difference between lawyer Jang and Su Ha ?I am hoping the writers read our minds when deciding if this romance can become a reality..
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Newstory
July 7, 2013 at 4:06 AM
If I understood right from 15 minutes preview, Su-ha is 19, and Hye-sung is 28. Lawyer Cha is 33.
Link to video: http://vimeo.com/67625847#
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 6:44 AM
"4. And because I’m curious and beginning to know ‘faces’ and I like context: where in the world are you posting from? What other languages do you speak? And because I’m English: what’s the weather like? XD"
Having studied in the UK I must say, you guys really do like to talk about the weather! Atm, its warm at 16 degrees celsius here and looking like its about to rain, though it was sunny earlier. How is it there?
I am from the North of Norway (midnight sun and northern lights!) :D Other languages include german and well, Norwegian. And hoping to get some Mandarin in there as I'm going to China. I would love to be able to do more than the random words I know in Japanese and Korean, but.. Yeah time not adding up :p
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:00 AM
"time not adding up :p"
Tell me about it!
Midnight sun and northern lights! Your corner of Norway is so on my list of places I want to spend a few months. Do you get used to it? I went to the coast recently (Cornwall! Amazing!) and a local woman told me she never got used to the sea, because it changes every day.
What takes you to China?
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 7:33 AM
Yeah you do get used to it. However you still notice it being bright (especially when the sun is shining in your window all night!). And you feel it on the culture as well, with people being out and about walking in the mountains and stuff at all times of the day/night.
And although we have the northern light every winter you still stop to look at it because it is beautiful. and tell people when it is particularity beautiful.
I understand what she means! I live by it, and it really is always changing depending on weather and stuff.
I had an sorta impulse/through through impulse decision of applying to this organization which provides English teaching jobs in China. So I'll be teaching in a kindergarten over there for a year as a gap year between gaining a BA and starting a MA.
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Moko
July 5, 2013 at 2:51 PM
Ist ja total cool Manin. Das klingt echt genial! Viel Erfolg!
Manin
July 5, 2013 at 3:39 PM
Viel danke! Du must meinen deutch vergibst, Ich habe est nicht in Jahren sprecht so est sind nicht das gut.
Or something.. Please excuse my bad german, my spoken german is a little better than my written :p
CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 6:54 AM
Have a blessed Ramadan! See you in a month.
Yes that diary-reading scene. Just so so so good. What a wonderful way to deal with the amnesia!
I think Su-Ha lost his memory because he can't deal with the guilt of killing -- note, i do not say "murdering"-- Big Bad. I think Big Bad came at him and he had to defend himself. So A) murdering someone and not being someone who is a cruel person B) breaking a promise to the woman he loves. Post Traumatic Stress.
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:02 AM
Thanks for your wishes, Carole!
But but but, do you really believe he's dead? The second the hand turned up, without a body, I was dead certain (uh...pardon the pun) that MJG was definitely not dead and almost certainly framing Suha. I initially thought the memory loss might have come from getting a head injury, but his behaviour and flashes of memory in ep10 made me wonder about the fugue-state thing.
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 8:19 AM
After reading all these comments, now I'm wondering. If Su-ha killed him, then that would be a GOOD reason for the amnesia. But if not...how could MJG KNOW Su-ha would get amnesia? He doesn't have control over someone not knowing or getting amnesia? I can't see him plying Su-Ha with some substance to make the kid forget?
But i think it'd be good if Min-Gook was alive. It would balance everything to make him end up in prison. How did he escape Korea or escape punishment or even escape infection?
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shukmeister
July 5, 2013 at 8:44 AM
If you are predominantly right-handed (and psychopathic), you could conceivably cut off your own left hand. Now doing this while forcing a teenager's hand around the knife might be a leetle more difficult, but it IS Kdramaland.
Saya
July 5, 2013 at 9:58 AM
See, this is what I thought! Especially since they made such a big thing of it being the left-hand murder case. I was talking about this with my friend, too, and we both (separately) theorised that he cut off his own hand to frame Suha, but the fact that Suha lost his memory is just a massive bonus for him that he couldn't have planned for in his wildest dreams. His plan was probably just for the faux-evidence to be indisputable. This has always worked for him before, right?
Not sure what role the grandpa who took him in plays. They seem to be leaving a trail about him, but who knows, it could be a dead end.
MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 7:11 AM
Hi Saya :)!
I personally didn't really have a problem with the age difference in Ramyun Shop (or Big). I think why people may have a problem with the student-teacher thing is that it could seem like the adult/teacher was in a position to take advantage of the teen/student. I think when the context is such that people no longer see the two as individuals but instead as representations of bigger ideas (innocence, for one) and that the interaction between the two foreshadows or is reminiscent of something taboo. But of course, I'm speaking generally so I can't really comment on the cultural values specific to SK.
I think a difference between IHYV and the other student-older person romances is that Su Ha and Hye Sung knew each other long before and have their own personal history before ever being put in that context. The American show Pretty Little Liars reminds me of this a bit as one the female characters was a high school student who met an older man and started a fling with him and then realized that he was her new English teacher after. Their relationship still continued after that. I didn't have a problem with that either and I don't remember hearing any hoopla over it either (but that could also be because I wasn't reading a boatload of comments about it. If it means anything though, my conservative friend didn't have an a big issue with it).
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IHYV comments: I'm a bit confused. Is Su Ha's mind reading ability a result of the car accident? I thought it was a natural ability before? I wonder if I missed something in the earlier episodes.
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Random ques:
1) I think I read that Nana wearing heels in CH was to make up for the height difference between LMH and PMY. But I agree, it's not practical. In Myung Wol the Spy, Myung wol is Eric's bodyguard and I remember she wore flats.
4) Posting from the US. I speak 1.5 languages because saying one seems boring, haha. And it's pretty hot (should be reaching 90 degrees later in the day) in New York.
Ramadan Mubarak and Eid Mubarak when it comes!
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Hi MeisLee! Thanks for replying to my comment!
Did that happen in PLL as well? I remember that situation in Life Unexpected with Lux and the guy she was dating in the second season, who ended up being her teacher. Didn't have a problem with that, but I did think Lux was irritating and immature the further the series went on.
My FBRS comment is going to go here, but is addressed to also everyone else who discussed it!
Let me clarify about my problem with the initial part of the FBRS romance: there was inappropriate behaviour between a student and teacher AT SCHOOL. I feel like this - appropriate behaviour in an academic setting, especially involving minors - is a value that transcends culture, and from what I've read about East Asian culture, it's not okay in daily life. So that is why I wondered at the lack of reaction to that. I don't take issue with age, or even him being in high school if he is emotionally mature (or at least at the same level as his love interest). I have a problem with that inappropriate behaviour taking place IN school, between a student and his teacher. Just no. So when the series moved on from the school setting later, it took me a while before I could accept it.
I don't think it's perverted - I think it's inappropriate, and should be. There's a place for everything, and school isn't it for this. Even if people have feelings, they shouldn't be acting on them in school. There was a girl in my class at school who had been flirting with a teacher all year, but they got together AFTER she graduated. Like, barely minutes after, but still after. Boundaries exist for good reasons!
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 10:28 AM
Yep, it happened in the early episodes of PLL and in the book as well. And I had a hard time watching Life Unexpected (other members of my family were watching it though). As you said, Lux was increasingly irritating. I was sorta glad when I heard it wasn't coming back.
And your clarification makes sense. I missed that in the first part of your comment. In that sense, I agree with what you're saying. Question, do you have the same feelings toward office romances that take place in the office?
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 12:56 PM
No! Unless there are specific rules againt inter-office dating, which people agree to when they sign their contracts.
It's just school is a completely different context with completely different dynamics, and involving minors and pastoral figures. I don't even think it's problematic at university level. Or anywhere else, pretty much. I'm a big yay for noona-romance, but everything has its place.
I could never get into PLL - I tried the first episode, but the first few minutes defeated me. Come to think of it, I don't know how I stuck it out with Life Unexpected. I have a compulsion to finish things XD One of the few American shows I'm still watching is The Lying Game.
THANK GOODNESS for kdrama, or that'd be the best I got XD
Mar
July 5, 2013 at 12:49 PM
I totally get the inappropriate, that's a good way to describe it in general.
FBRS-I think most people do have issues with a teacher/student personal relationship as a rule. For a teacher, it's an ethical issue. With people in the West, I think it is tied to the thought of a high school student as a child and the older person also being in a position of authority. High School students in the U.S. for example are generally under the age of 18. There is this stereotypical image of an experienced adult seducing a 15 year old kid.
Whether people want to admit it are not, high school students often date people much older than they are. It happens all the time. I'm not saying right or wrong here, I'm just saying that it happens. Should it be happening in a traditional student/teacher situation? Nope, not really a good call.
Most of these K dramas-the student is often over 19 years old. With FBRS, Eun-bi was never in a position of power with Cha Chi-soo. She was a lowly student teacher at a school owned by his father, that lost her position early on in the drama, and the Pillar was running the restaurant. Eun-bi was experiencing a sexual awakening with her attraction to Cha Chi-soo, and I believe she struggled with the age difference.
I think time of life vs. the actual age difference and the position of authority are issues for sure. I however also think about this when we have dramas where the older male is in a position of authority over a younger female, usually in the workplace. It makes for a definite inequality in the relationship. No one has an issue with a young poor woman in the workplace dating a hot rich boss man that has power over her job. Pasta, as much as I love that drama, is a good example of this. People will argue two mature consenting adults are a different animal and there is validity to that. But I will argue that there is little difference in power inequality between a 19 year old student and a teacher, and a boss and employee.
In fact we can look at that in context of FBRS-we have the Pillar in a place of authority of Eun-bi in her OWN home and in her father's Raymun Shop, which was her fall back position with not having a teaching job-she was subject to the Pllar's whims, even as they toyed with a flirtation.
I personally feel the trend in the "noona romance" brilliantly feeds the need for a good fantasy story to the Korean audience. Everyone loves a good rebellion/underdog/starcrossed lovers against the odds story. In a culture where family is the law and social structure is based on age and class hierarchy, and is also a patriarchal society, a younger man dating an older woman and defying all the society rules and their family makes for a a good fairy tale. That's my take anyway.
And really, these two particular examples-FBRS and IHYV-are not about older women seducing boys and abusing positions of authority. I could write multiple thesis on FBRS themes. If the IHYV pairing is anything, it's at the basis the standard Korean trope where the couple is fated from from childhood to be life partners.
And who the heck could resist Cha Chi Soo Mr. Suck Kimchi off your Face Guy anyway? It's a wonder Eun-bi didn't kick off her panties right then and there.
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 1:04 PM
Ha! Great comment, I'm nodding along to it all, and you've recast it for me, too - I forgot about the boss/employee dynamic of FBRS...that does change it. And the lowly trainee status.
I think one of the aspects that made me, hm, uncomfortable? was how Chi Soo clearly ALWAYS had the upper hand on her for most of the first half. This isn't as a criticism - just my feelings as I watched it. I cringed in sympathy through a lot of it XD
Deciding to be okay with liking someone younger than you is hard. All the dramas I've seen exploring that theme have done it brilliantly. I think my favourite of the bunch so far are Dal Ja's Spring, and if IHYV follows it through, that too. Happy sighs!
robin
July 7, 2013 at 11:34 AM
Mar - This summed up everything I wanted to say about the FBRS dynamic - and far better than I would have. So thanks for saving me the effort!
And holy crap, the kimchi scene. I actually gasped. Then rewound.
Saya - I think you would have an even bigger problem with Biscuit Teacher, Star Candy, so avoid that one. Also, in FBRS, they met first outside of school and she thought he was 12 years older, so that was her first impression of him before she had to readjust to the other dynamic.
robin
July 7, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Ignore what I said about Biscuit Teacher if you want to watch it. Personally it didn't bother me because he was an older "returning" senior and kind of a special case due to his family and behavioral issues. Orrr it could just be that I knew Gong Yoo is a year older than Gong Hyo Jin! :)
Mar
July 7, 2013 at 1:31 PM
I'll second robin on Biscuit Teacher. It's very good. Age differences are the last thing that bother me in dramas, but I will admit I struggled with this drama at first because of the teacher/student aspect. However the cast is so engaging they drew me in and I am so glad I gave it a chance. The beginning of the drama starts out a little odd with some fantasy elements, but settles down to an interesting and charming drama about coming of age/learning who you are and who you want to be, at different points of life, for the different characters. I thought it was too long...it rehashed some of the angst way too much, but over all a good watch.
korfan
July 5, 2013 at 7:15 AM
Saya -
Just posted a message and it didn't go through, so I'm trying again ..... sorry if you see it twice.
1. Girl-bodyguards ..... I'm going to assume it's for "look" only ..... I mean, how can you minimize the risk of twisted ankles or broken bones while sprinting in fashionable Jimmy Choo's!
See you next month!
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 1:06 PM
Thanks korfan!
Gotta agree they LOOK good - as long as you forget they're meant to be bodyguards XD
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 7:15 AM
1. Girl-bodyguards (i.e. Nana and her colleague in City Hunter): WHY were they always wearing 4-inch heels, WHY?
That's a question I would like to ask for just about any drama heroine in any situation – I swear the high heels (and the height of the heels) make NO sense in about 99% of situations.
Though I'll admit that I never wear (and never will wear) high heels, because I'm comfy shoes, I'm walking/cycling/running kinda girl. (All my shoes are flats.)
What’s the reason for dramas shooting so fast and feature films shooting so slowly? Also, is there a good reason why films make more money?
Quality requires slower shooting. Also, TV dramas you consume quickly (you watch one episode one day, one the next, then they are off the TV and most of the time you won't ever rewatch), which also means we'll be more forgiving with many aspects on TV that we won't with film – so yet more time has to be put into films to ensure quality (expectations are higher on all levels).
Films simply are the sort of things that are often meant to last longer and rewatched (I think of it in the sense that films are more timeless than TV – the films that are truly outstanding, we'll watch 50, 70 years on, but most TV dramas won't have a life expectancy of more than some months or a few years – though the internet and easier accessibility is changing this to some extent).
Why do they make more money? I guess because you can build a whole business around them over the months that they first screen at festivals, then in cinemas, then sell as DVDs. You can make them into a brand that lasts (say, Disney or Studio Ghibli have a lot of commerce - toys, pencils, artbooks, etc. – that they can sell). If you are lucky you can pull this off with TV dramas too, particularly those that have long runs (e.g. Dr. Who). Also because there is more money put in from the start, because the status is higher and expectations too, and film actors may have a higher status – it all spins more money. I don't have the presence of mind to explain it eloquently (it's Friday!), but, basically, I think the time factor, the way we consume film vs. TV and the quality criterion make the difference.
Regarding the KCCUK movie: they are screening Failan on July 11th (Year of Four Actors Season) and 깊은밤 갑자기 (Suddenly in the Dark of Night, 1981) on July 18 (Women on Screen season).
Posting from London, as you already know. I'm not British but a globe-trotting expat for life with an EU passport. Languages are on my ABOUT page on the blog. Weather... you know :-)
We'll miss you, but welcome you back with open arms!
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Ha! I'm with you alua. I remember when I was still watching That Winter, I kept wondering why they kept having Oh Young wear those ridiculously high pumps, especially when she was walking along icy, snow covered roads.
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 8:51 AM
In Alice in Wonder City (TW) they had a dance / musical performance were all the dancers were barefoot except the lead actress (in high heels). It was a fairly short scene (more like an epilogue) but it was just like... that makes NO sense!
Like they had a contract with some high heels company?!?
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 8:55 AM
Any excuse for product placement, logic be damned! :)
Saya
July 5, 2013 at 1:17 PM
"(All my shoes are flats.)"
Amen! Me, too. I can't just not run in heels, I can't even STAND in them.
THANK YOU for the detailed answer about film vs TV - I've always wondered, and never really knew who to ask. I haven't watched more than a handful of films since I started watching kdrama...the format of the short series and the quality of the storytelling are so perfect for me that I can't bring myself to watch anything else just yet.
Re: KCCUK: I'm not going to make anything before mid-August, but I'll check out their schedule and see what's happening later. Then we can work something out, hopefully!
I'll miss everyone too, and look forward to coming back!
God, I love this community. So glad I joined in.
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 1:36 PM
I wouldn't know, I have never owned a pair of heels and probably the last time I wore any was for 2 minutes playing dress-up as a child with my mom's heels (which were like 2 cm heels).
I only own like 7 pairs of shoes (2 running, 1 flip flop, 1 sports sandals, 1 summer flats, 1 winter boots, 1 winter shoes). The closet of shoes.... also not me.
The KCCUK schedule is on their website (or you can sign up for the Film Night newsletter); I post image widgets for the KCCUK screenings on the sidebar of my blog too, plus there's a monthly event post which I try to make as comprehensive as possible --> some people tell me I'm better informed about K/J film events in the UK than anyone else.
Anyhow, just give me a shout in August when you're back online.
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 3:31 PM
I will, thanks!
redfox
July 5, 2013 at 8:24 PM
I hate heels cause when you take photos that is a bugger to climb around in. I crawl and jump and climb stuff when I am out on a photo spree.
I need ninja sandals.
Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 7:28 AM
Hi Saya,
Enjoy your holiday and thanks for the questions. I have to think a bit before replying back.
As for weather, I am in NY close to Canada and it has been more chilly than usual (65-75 degrees F) with more rain than needed. I hoping it will warm up a bit for the garden to really bloom.
See you next month!
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 1:21 PM
Thanks for your wishes! Good luck with your garden close to Canada! Gardens are the best.
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Hedviglilla
July 5, 2013 at 7:31 AM
Hi Saya,
Answer for the 4th question :)
I'm from Hungary and the weather... well hot as hell as always in the summer: 31-35°C and no rain, and barely any wind.
I speak 3 languages apart from my mother tongue. English, German and Korean.
And a month away from the internet... my respect :D
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Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 2:58 PM
Heidi,
I am curious, how do you learn Korean? I am trying to, slowly. LOL
I do speak another that I forgot to include - English, Italian and can get by in French and Spanish.
Thanks!
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Nanaki
July 5, 2013 at 7:37 AM
#3 If Korean cockroaches are the same as Japanese ones then they're usually between three to five centimetres long, browny-orange in colour, and the buggers FLY.
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Nanaki
July 5, 2013 at 7:39 AM
Australia, west- today was about 17 C I think. Clear and cold (by our standards, ok?).
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Mipo
July 5, 2013 at 9:21 AM
*Shivers*
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sebsob
July 5, 2013 at 7:39 AM
Ramadhan Mubarak to you too! AND I'm from England too so you know what the weather is like here (always carry an umbrella, hehe)
In terms of the conflict of teacher / student storylines, there have been many debates on DB OT. I can't remember which ones but I do remember that there was one during the time FBRS aired. What I took away from those discussions is that you've got to take a step back as per the ethics of cultural relativism so that we don't fall into ethnocentrism. Furthermore, this is TV, where storylines are given more leniency just for the sake of drama and conflict set-up. I remember the same debates sprouting up during (reveals age) Dawson's Creek first run. If I could make a little more clearer for you, it's like as a practising Muslim, you probably don't believe in pre-marital sex and dating BUT still you watch dramas that have these things and it doesn't throw you as much because well, you accept it within the meta of what the drama has set-up; you don't judge people by the values that you have chosen for yourself but rather you view them according to their own parameters and principles.
In terms of FBRS, they do distance themselves because he is actually a lot older and (spoiler) they leave the school setting to Ramyun Shop so I guess employer - employee rules come in and I guess rules governing work place ethics come in, but I digress. I don't think it romanticized the controversy, and I do understand your concerns especially considering the Jeremy Forrest case going on here in England right now.
All I will say is that I understand why it would make people uncomfortable but I always get why people wouldn't mind, and still wouldn't be considered 'perverted' or sick because this is TV and rules governing TV and reality aren't the same, there's more leniency given just for the sake of creative space but I do also get that in some instances people are influenced by media and sometimes these things can lead to romanticising issues in real life that shouldn't be, such as the whole 'jerky' behaviour of some Korean drama male lead roles. It's more of a grey area on TV than the kind of black and white of real life. Oh, and you should probably stay away from Biscuit teacher and star candy, even though it a favourite of mine.
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 3:41 PM
Ramadan kareem to you, too!
I decided to write about the FBRS thing in a few comments above (to save repeating myself 20 squillion boring times t everyone, ha), but I basically answered my own question and decided that particular value transcended your basic cultural milieu to generalise to every cultural milieu. Or something.
I actually wanted to watch Biscuit Teacher to see if I felt differently about it if it were *done* differently. And I just remembered Never Been Kissed, which possibly isn't actually even relevant XD
I think on the whole, creative media holds up a mirror to our real lives and real values. That's why the argument of it being fictional and therefore okay I find ultimately weak, if not actually facetious. Fiction is a way of exploring new ground, but most of the social limitations, strictures and values we hold in the present apply in a very similar way regardless. But that's a topic for another day! I'm beyond sleepy right now!
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sebsob
July 5, 2013 at 4:43 PM
Of course I agree that just because it's fiction doesn't mean that it's automatically ok. I just meant that because it's not a documentary on real life the viewpoint or reference point isn't social convention or a certain argument but rather the character's point of view. In FBRS, I liked the way that they dealt with it because you see her reaction to the set up change too as well as his.
In terms of milieu and fiction I find that the issue tends to be specific. Just like in real life, actually, to put it succinctly, all elephants are grey but not all grey things are elephants.
Give biscuit teacher a go if it's on your list because I think it handled the development of characterizations well within its own parameters.
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 5:20 PM
Oh, I know you didn't mean that! I was kind of arguing out loud to myself, in your space. I do that a lot, sorry! But no aggro intended whatsoever! Damn internet. Makes mellow things look aggro-ey.
I'll come back with thoughts about Biscuit Teacher once I've watched it, I'm curious to see how it will play out.
And now, I'm curious to see how my bed feels like. I think my eyeballs are about to fall out of my head.
sebsob
July 6, 2013 at 12:13 AM
Yes, tone is so hard to present in writing. I think I'm just used to people being offensive and offended at the same time on the internet. No one debates anymore but I did give you the benefit of the doubt because of your insight and intelligence.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Biscuit teacher once you get around to it. : )
Wishing you well, sweet dreams and a blessed Ramadhan.
FishcalledWanda
July 6, 2013 at 2:54 PM
Hi Sabah! : ) I'm sorry I didn't reply anymore last week; my retake on my exam was coming on and I had to focus on that. But now it's summer break at last! I just wanted to say hello before I'm off enjoying my free time in Wales. Next OT I'm hopefully enjoying myself in some really beautiful place : ) Wishing you a wonderful week with lots of sun and smiles!
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~Feather~
July 5, 2013 at 7:59 AM
Hi! I don't usually post on DB a lot and usually never on the OT, but I suddenly felt like trying today. So here goes...
With the age difference b/w Su-Ha and Hye-Sung I actually don't mind it at all (I haven't watched the 2 latest episodes yet and I skipped any info you wrote about that so excuse me ^^)
I just went with the thought that they could be a couple after he grows up a few more years (say, be in his twenties) then I would be fine with it. And they also knew each other when they were kids so that helps settle my mind (for some reason unbeknownst to me).
The thing with Chi-Soo and Eun-Bi being student/teacher also bothered me. But after she began taking care of the ramen shop full time I was okay with it. I was actually a high school student during the time the drama was airing so I don't know if that plays a part in my way of thinking?
It's a drama anyway so I'm not bothered by it. Besides, Chi-Soo and Eun-Bi are only 6 years apart. My parents are 12 years apart (my mom married when she was 27) so when I see a couple with a big age difference, it doesn't bother me. :) I think any age difference is okay as long as both persons are legal adults with a mature mentality and are in somewhat similar times in their life.
On to the questions!!!
1. 100% AGREE! I can't even walk, let alone run, in 2-inch heels so forget about 4-in. Sneakers for life! I have yet to see a drama (that I watched) where the girl has been put into a role which she is properly dressed for.
3. Why? What have you heard? 0.o
4. I am posting from Long Island(that's part of New York) which has been my home ever since I was a toddler when I moved from Pakistan!
I speak English, Urdu, Punjabi and a little bit of basic Korean from what I've picked up from shows and music! I spent 5 years in school learning Spanish and I still don't understand any of it! ^-^
The weather is ugly and hot. I refuse to step foot outside ever since yesterday when I ventured out to do a little shopping with my parents for college and went with my friend's family to see the fireworks show. We walked forever and I now have blisters on my feet and it still hurts when I walk around inside. >.<
I'm also Muslim so I will also fast starting on the 8th of this month. :D I've never heard of fasting from the internet so that interesting.
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Hi Feather! Looks like I've found a close DB-er, haha :). I know what you mean with the weather back here, the AC has been continuously on in my home. I think age might have a tiny bit to do with the acceptance of the age-difference and student/teacher relationship in FBRS. I was also a high schooler at the time and I didn't really bother me. I bet I had ulterior reasons at the time, ha.
I'm entering college this fall and out of curiosity, is this your second year in college and do you go to school instate?
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~Feather~
July 5, 2013 at 1:45 PM
This is going to be my first year and yes, I will be going to school instate. :) Are you going to stay on long island or farther away. I'm going to be in Albany. I must prepare for the cold!!! >._.>
I can understand those ulterior motives you speak of. I also had them but I never admitted it! Hehe. ;)
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~Feather~
July 5, 2013 at 1:59 PM
For some reason some the entire middle part of my comment was erased so I'm going to attempt to recall what I wrote and post this:
Yay! I didn't know there was someone nearby who also liked k-dramas and read recaps on DB! It's nice to meet you! :D
The weather really is icky. you're lucky, you have an A/C! My parents haven't bothered installing it yet. :( But thankfully I live on the first floor of my building so it's not that bad. There is a nice breeze coming in through the windows, but I still won't go outside because of the humidity.
Now that I look back, I don't think any part of the comment that was erased had any substance or reason for me to retype. -_- I'm sorry, I'm blabbering. But do reply! I'd love to talk to you more. :)
MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 4:06 PM
Ooh! It's going to be my first year as well, guess that means we're about the same age? I was wondering if maybe the Drama Gods would have us go to the same college, ha. I live in Brooklyn (so not *that* close). I'll be staying in the city for school.
I haven't really been outside recently. If it wasn't for work, I would've been home all week. At least there was AC there! Gah, I really hope that AC of yours gets installed soon! And don't apologize, youre not blabbering! And even if you were, I would chalk it up to the heat lol.
Sorry for the super late reply. After I saw that Monstar Ep 7 was only at 1% earlier, I decided to take a nap to speed up the process lol and well I woke up to it being at 95% so yay!
~Feather~
July 5, 2013 at 5:42 PM
@MeeisLee
Then it must be 100% subbed by now! I still haven't seen it yet. I think I'll see it after I finish watching the latest two episodes of IHYV as a palate cleanser cuz I think I'm going to feel a bit depressed afterwards. So cute Monstar will help me feel better. :3
Aw, I think the heat is more concentrated in the city than in the suburbs so I'm sorry you have to venture out in that kind of weather. :(
If only the drama gods allowed us to go to the same school! Then we could dissect our dramas over lunch or something. I can only dream. :(
MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 6:41 PM
Yeah! It's been 100% subbed for a few hours now. I had to go run some errands so I'm only getting to watch it now. Man, I thought it wouldve cooled down my now but I returned home sweaty and I wasn't even outside for that long ><.
Definitely catch up with those episodes lol. Monstar will help return the warm fuzzies afterwards! I'm trying to add more fluffy rom-coms to my drama list this week because I know I'm going to go through some stuff when I start HC and in the next episodes of IHYV.
I know right :(. Darn, Drama Gods. I have yet to find a friend who likes dramas as much as I do AND is willing to analyze and discuss it with me.
~Feather~
July 7, 2013 at 8:42 AM
@Meeislee
Ah well, we can always discuss on the OT! :D
I think I'll start posting on the OT now, instead of just reading the comments. :) I've actually been obsessing over a manga I've been reading so I kinda put off watching the episodes yesterday. XD I'm going off to watch them after I post this comment. So then I'll be prepared to discuss/analyze them with you now or during next OT. Whichever you prefer. :)
alua
July 5, 2013 at 9:06 AM
Actually Lee Soon Shin is properly dressed.
At least I noticed at some point that she pretty much was always wearing flat shoes and dressing like a normal person would.
Yoonah and Miryung meanwhile... they are doing their own catwalk shows. I mean that spiky shoulders dress of Yoonah's in the most recent episode?!?!
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~Feather~
July 5, 2013 at 2:03 PM
I haven't watched any of that drama because I wasn't willing to commit to a drama that long. I always just read snippets about it on the OT. From the screencaps I agree that she seems to dress normally. It's a nice change from looking at an actress wear a necklace made out of teddy-bears. :) I'm going to have to look up that outfit you mentioned. Which episode is it from?
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 3:22 PM
Either Episode 33 or 34.
It looks just a little too edgy, too punk for her. It looks like something you'd wear in magazine photo shoot, but not really in real life, where she's putting up a pretty & perfect actress façade.
Saya
July 5, 2013 at 9:47 AM
Haha, I like to spend my time doing unworldly things at least during Ramadan. Otherwise I will become a spiritual black hole. It's like going on a retreat without having to go anywhere - the retreat comes to you. I go no internet, no TV, no books. Just Qur'an and praying and the necessaries, and ugh work. It's the time of year I reset emotionally as well - like starting over. New plans, new goals, new me. Like that :D I love it. Best time of year ever, and don't want to use a moment of it unwisely.
Thanks for answering my nosy questions!
re: 3: I was wondering if their cockroaches are like Bangladesh ones - enoooormous and horrible and please can I just die now XD
I'm going to talk FBRS in a diffeent post, so I don't repeat myself a squillion times, ha!
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~Feather~
July 5, 2013 at 2:13 PM
Wow. What you do is very respectable. I don't think my family would be able to do it though. My dad's on his laptop (actually he's asleep in front of it while the cricket game(that's what it sounds like) plays (aha, that was a pun!)) and my brother is playing videogames. -_-
I could never put down a good book if I found one! It's impossible! You should have seen the hell I put my parents through during the Harry Potter series when I was 12. During bedtime, I used to hide under the covers and read by the light of a cell phone because I couldn't find a flashlight! :)
I've read almost all of your comments so I understand. You don't have to repeat yourself. Or if you already answered a question someone else posted you could always tell them the comment number for them to search it up. :)
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 3:48 PM
You should try it, just one time! I think people I know always start with switching off the TV. They allow themselves to watch the news and stuff, but forgo everything else.
I really mean it about how much it clears your head, your slate, your souuulllll. I know it's not easy for everyone, but one thing at a time! It just fills your Ramadan up with so much more barakah, even if it's reading a few pages of Qur'an a day that you usually don't, or catching the taraweeh on TV. And it's not forever: just a month! You'll feel like a new person at the end.
Ha, sorry for waxing lyrical! I just truly love this time of year so much. I don't even care it's an 18-hour fast. It's worth it.
I forgot about the comment numbers! Thanks for the tip!
~Feather~
July 5, 2013 at 5:51 PM
@Saya
I think I'll attempt it. :)
I agree! This is my favorite time of the year! It makes it better when you have all of your family with you. Unfortunately, the rest of my family lives in Pakistan and Dubai. So it's not as nice without them. My favorite memories growing up are helping my mom, aunts, and cousins set up the table for everyone to eat. I was usually tasked with making the chaat. ^-^
Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Hi Feather!
I am a transplanted LIer!! Spent my years growing up on the Nass/Suff border and Italy. :)
Enjoy enjoy your holiday!
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~Feather~
July 5, 2013 at 5:47 PM
Hi Waiting! (I love your name, it sounds nice)
Yay! Another Long Islander! I live in Nassau. Ohh, you've lived in Italy? How is it? It's on my bucket list of world travels for when I grow up, make a little money, and go globe-trekking with my friend. :)
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marid
July 5, 2013 at 8:01 AM
The whole teacher/student thing in dramas, really has never bother me because I know in my head they are all adults on real life. Plus the way the charectrs behave plays into it. In IHYV Soo-ha seems to have lived a lot for a kid his age & also makes her a better person with his actions. While in Flower boy Ramen shop they both acted like kids soo I kept hoping they mature together ( I still haven't finish it).
Weather in AZ = hot last weekend we hit 119 which is about 50 Celsius it was hot & horrid. This week it's been at 100 +
And I just heard some thunder... Wtf I should probably look out my window.
How many languages do I speak? 2 fluently English & Spanish. I took 4 years of French in high school so I understand it if spoken slowly, 2 years of Italian so same deal. Since I can understand all the roman languages I decided to try my hand my hand Japanese, I'm loving it. Then I'm also slowly learning both Korean & Mandarin Chinese from my friends... Sooo yes.. Next ill tackle German but it won't b anytime soon.
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saturtledaisy
July 5, 2013 at 8:12 AM
Hi from Brussels, Belgium here :3 The weather here is pretty similar to the English weather - rainy, most of the time. I speak four languages (Dutch, English, Mandarin Chinese and French) (almost) fluently, and I know a handful of German (Belgium supposedly being a trilingual country and all).
I think the main problem with age difference is the imbalance in the relationship. Like, when one is a teacher or a working adult and one is a student, they seem to be in different stages of their lives and one seems to have more 'power' than the other. They also have a different amount of life experience. But that's only from an outsider's perspective. If two people are on the same wavelength and expect the same from a relationship, I don't see why it couldn't work. Of course, this may have some ethical implications from a professional point of view (like teacher-student: you can't trust the teacher not to play 'favourites' with own their girlfriend/boyfriend when giving out grades.)
Which is probably why people are more comfortable with the idea of two 'adults' dating, even if they have a significant age difference, rather than a working adult and a high school student with the same age difference. Being at a different 'stage' in your life does make a difference.
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 8:13 AM
I laughed out loud at your City Hunter comment, Saya. This is something that bothers me every time I watch that drama! Though it goes beyond "Why does Nana wear heels on the job?" and directly in to "How the hell does a presidential bodyguard get away with moonlighting in half a dozen other side jobs?" :P
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 9:49 AM
That too!
I love City Hunter to pieces, but those heels, that job...every time, I am like, 'I forgive this 'cause I love you so much'. Ha!
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 10:05 AM
HA! Yes, that is exactly how I get through it.
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Mar
July 5, 2013 at 12:58 PM
I love City Hunter, but as I've said before, it had holes Optimus Prime could walk through. One being Kim NaNa in her silly heels as a secret service agent. Those kinds of jobs, they recruit from the military, and also she'd never pass the security clearance-her debt issues would put her at risk for coercion. Seriously, all they had to do was give her a military background and set up her debt issues to be recent, and hey WAY more plausible. And can the damn hump me pumps.
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DayDreamer
July 5, 2013 at 9:04 AM
Hi Saya! Happy Ramadan (and good luck in this weather).
For your question, I'm from NY, an Indian, and the weather is mighty hot (or as hot as NY can get, lol).
Btw, could you please write something like "WARNING SPOILER" from here on whenever you discuss dramas in a little more detail because I haven't watched ep 10 of I hear Your Voice yet. I'd appreciate that. :)
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Yarg, sorry! I normally always do! I think I got carried away this time and forgot. Sorry sorry sorry XD
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Sue
July 5, 2013 at 9:54 AM
Ha! the older woman, high school student relationship. As a high school teacher I must agree with you. I can't imagine having a relationship with one of my students. Even after they leave high school. I honestly treat them like my children. But last year a male teacher was fired from our school for having a relationship with an 18 year old female student. He was fired, the authorities were contacted, but no charges were filed because she was 18 and her parents refused to pursue the matter to keep the peace in their house.
However, outside of the school context, I can tell you my brother's first wife was 7 years older than him. They met when he was 17 years old. My parents were not thrilled, but they kept their mouths closed because they knew it would be worse if they opposed it. My parents even paid for the wedding. They were married when he turned 21 and stayed married for 7 years. At that time she was 35 yrs old and he was worried about having children, but she told him that she had decided never to have children, not even though adoption. So they divorced and they both remarried two years later (to different people). She died last year from a lung infection. Believe it or not they remained friends till the end, talking once or twice a year. When my niece was born she sent gifts. It was very civilized.
I don't think anyone in my family, or even my brother, ever regretted the marriage. It was an important part of his life. So no, I personally do not have a problem with an older woman, young man relationship (as long as they are not my students!)
BTW, I am from Puerto Rico. My main language is Spanish, but I am an English teacher.
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 10:23 AM
Ah, what you said. My feelings exactly.
Thank you for sharing!
(Short comments because I am at work, OTing on the side! Ha!)
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Windsun33
July 5, 2013 at 11:12 AM
In most cases the age difference in k-dramas does not bother me much, perhaps because in most cases the "high school" students are actually in their 20's.
The only time I really had big issues with it was in a K-movie called "My Little Bride", where the grandfather forces an arranged marriage between a teacher and a barely 16 year old high school student.
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Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 3:19 PM
I stopped watching that one too as soon as I realized the age of the characters. There was another one...that was well... RACY, let's say. A movie where the male was 17 AFTER she got out of jail. I watched the first bit until I figured out the ages and powered off. For those curious, that movie was Green Chair or something like that.
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Newbie
July 5, 2013 at 11:09 PM
IIRC he is 18 after her coming out of jail and just a few days away from getting legal. Not that this info would change anything and make Green Chair a good movie. ;)
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Mar
July 7, 2013 at 2:09 PM
I liked The Green Chair. I thought it was an interesting character study that reveals people and circumstances are not always as they seem.
SPOILER- The film opens with the viewer thinking the woman is the dominant one in the relationship, as she is older (she's 32) and sexually experienced. As the story develops it reveals that the young man (he's 19) highly influences the woman and is in fact the dominant personality in the relationship. The film looks at the impact of having an affair with a 19 year old on the woman's life (pretty much ruined), the impact the passion of lust and love when there is an attraction between two (consenting) people that is outside societies norms, what happens when reality kicks in, and IS it just lust, a forbidden thrill, was it worth it, and if it is love, is it worth it?
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 4:28 PM
A big thanks to everyone who so generously shared where they were writing from, and more! I hope everyone else found it as fun and interesting as I did.
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the50-person
July 5, 2013 at 6:25 PM
Hmmm I'm from Singapore and I speak Chinese, English, Cantonese, and the l weather is practically hot and humid everyday (think 32 degrees) and always rains.
you'll be missed sorely! :(
oh yes the bodyguards. I nvr noticed that. And yes, it makes absolutely no sense to protect a VIP, in HEELS as thick as my sandwich. :D
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2 kakashi
July 5, 2013 at 6:26 AM
hello everybody, wishing you a very happy Friday (*runs off again*)
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verte
July 5, 2013 at 6:34 AM
Hello kakashi,
I wish u a very happy Friday too! ><
*runs off too*
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 6:45 AM
Happy friday Kakashi!
How is the recaps going? I am so sad I haven't had time to get around to read your TEN2 recaps. But real life has been a bit tricky lately, so haven't even gotten around to watch the episodes myself!
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kakashi
July 5, 2013 at 7:55 AM
Hello Marin! I still have eps 10, 11, 12 to do. TEN2 has many faults, which is unfortunate. But I still like the show overall. Watch it when you have time!
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 8:04 AM
Yeah I didn't feel as addicted to it as the first season. Still want to watch it though. I think I'm at ep 6 or something. The first case when all the group is back together again at least.
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:03 AM
Happy Friday to you, too, kakashi!
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DayDreamer
July 5, 2013 at 9:24 AM
Happy Friday, kakashi! :)
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redfox
July 5, 2013 at 12:36 PM
same.
btw I miss Park Ki Woong on screen. anyone else?
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3 cherkell
July 5, 2013 at 6:28 AM
Ohayou/konichiwa/konbanwa minasan! I have to hurry and write this, since I need to hit the sack early tonight to catch an 8:10 AM Shinkansen to Tokyo, where I will be spending my last few days before flying back to SFO on Monday. And honestly, I am soooo ready to return home. Not that I haven't had such an AWESOME TIME in Korea and Japan; it's just that this tired old soul needs to get her life back on track and find a new job that will allow her a decent salary to ensure 'Trips Of A Lifetime' (like this one) keep continuing. And if the planets harmonically converge again, mark my words I will return this time next year for more fun and merriment!!!
Hope everyone had a great 4th of July back in the States! It was weird being in another country that doesn't celebrate such events, but I made up for that situation by chowing down on a MOSBurger "All-American Burger" earlier today. It was goooooooooood. The matcha latte that accompanied obviously was not traditional, but also still good. Slack should be cut. :)
But most importantly because it is 5 July for a few more hours here, HAPPY 27TH BIRTHDAY TO JI CHANG WOOK!!! We did the whole cake-presenting early at the fan meeting on 22 June, and I understand a proper celebration for My Precious will happen during the curtain call of the 'The Days' performance tonight in Daejeon. Pictures should be flooding my inbox shortly! ♥
And my review of 'The Days,' you may ask? AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! I wasn't expecting such a heavy singing and physical role from My Precious, but he BROUGHT IT in spades to the production! He has such a bright tenor voice that did justice to his devil-may-care character, but I didn't expect his Mu-young persona to pretty much mirror what he's like in real life. (Without the whole 'dying to protect your country' at the end of the show, of course. *tears up* ) Poor baby was so overcome during his last encore that he started crying and couldn't utter a single note. Of course, we were all sobbing by the time the curtain came down for the last time. *tears up again* Good job, Changwook-ssi… you should be proud!
I saw both performances on 30 June, but I was not impressed with Kim Jung-hwa's delivery in the matinee - I felt she was just phoning it in for her last show. For the evening performance, Bang Jin-eui was definitely more suited for that 'ingenue' role and she had WAY more chemistry with JCW (and you could tell he emoted better with her as well). Anyway, more detailed criticism/fangirling will be blogged as soon as I return, collect my scrambled thoughts and pictures, and come down off of Cloud Nine accordingly.
So it's time to unfold the futons for the last time in Japan Standard Time and try to sleep more than the standard 3-4 hours I've been getting over the past two weeks. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you all next week!!
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:04 AM
Great to see the cherkell roadtrip is still going at top-speed! What will you spend your last few days doing?
Wait, don't worry about answering that. Will catch your updates when you're back! Safe trip!
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korfan
July 5, 2013 at 7:18 AM
cherkell -
Glad to know your trip has continued fabulously! Have a safe trip home.
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Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Safe travels back home!
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 4:49 PM
I never experienced homesickness until I did long international trips. Great to visit, but also good to be home. Welcome back.
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4 Rachel Earl :))
July 5, 2013 at 6:34 AM
First time posting here hehe *waves*
Just a brief shoutout to everyone watching obsessing over Heartless City (aka my favorite drama of the year so far!) 8D
I've dropped everything else (YTBLSS, ISYG, Monstar, Shark and didn't even finish JOJ yet) and is only faithfully following HC and The Queen's Classroom. But when I do get time, I'm planning to check out IHYV because clearly it's really the talk of the moment right now. Do I start it now or just catch up later when it finishes???
Anyways, have an awesome weekend everyone!! :DDD
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 6:57 AM
Welcome! And start now on IHYV..so you can join in on the squeefest (or the dismay should it totally dash our hopes of its greatness.)
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:07 AM
oh snap!!
haha, I didn't see this comment when I wrote mine, but clearly we are on the same page!
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:06 AM
Hi Rachel! Welcome!
Start IHYV now! You'll have the satisfaction of 10 eps in a row, and then joining the fandom for the rest of the ride, which is half of the fun.
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 8:20 AM
I often think we are one k-drama souls in two bodies! ;-)
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Now THAT would make a weird and funky drama!
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 12:21 PM
upping the body-switch definitely!
korfan
July 5, 2013 at 7:33 AM
Rachel -
Welcome! Glad you could join us.
As for watching IHYV (or any drama) now or later, I guess that depends on what works best for you.
For example, if you watch now, you can jump right in on the discussions regarding the drama in a "real-time" sort of way, if that makes sense .... what I mean is, there's no prolonged "delay time" between when you watched a drama and when you're discussing it with everyone else who watched it at the same time you did.
You can also watch "off schedule"(later in the month, year, whenever), either because it fits your own schedule better and/or because you chose to watch a drama when it is broadcast in your area. In this case, you can still discuss it/comment on it, of course (like here in OT) ..... the only drawback is that other people have watched it already or are episodes ahead.
But it all works! Enjoy the dramas!
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ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 8:10 AM
queen's classroom is on my list! So is heartless city. I love that kim ssi kid ( I think she's called sae rom?) I'm somewhat anxious about seeing all those kid actors grow up. I mean I knew I was old before but rewatching iljimae ( lee joonki) and then seeing the moon embracing the sun really makes me feel old.
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MariD
July 5, 2013 at 8:26 AM
Welcome!!! But but but, why drop Monstar?? Sorry I have 3 current loves 1 Heartless city 2. IHYV 3. Monstar. So just like to hear people's reasons for dropping something I love :)
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5 Alta
July 5, 2013 at 6:36 AM
Hello Everybody~Watching and Loving IHYV,but the last episode was really slow.Currently addicted to my first daily drama Ugly Alert.I normally stay away from dailies because of the length but this is so fast paces and I can't really find a weak link in the acting department and I'm loving the heroine so much.So,any good daily drama recommendation?
Happy Friday OT family !!
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ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 8:20 AM
where are you watching ugly alert? I accidentally saw the first episode when I downloaded this ap that I found while searching for iljimae.
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Alta
July 5, 2013 at 1:01 PM
DarkSmurf has subs (up to ep 6 is edited but the rest is machine translated)but I have my subs from Soompi which is more accurate.The weird title aside,the drama is actually pretty good..
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6 amee
July 5, 2013 at 6:36 AM
Hello everyone!
Recently I've been rewatching Delightful Girl Choonhyang and it holds it's spot as one of my favorite "old" dramas. It just feels good to pop it in the dvd player and rewatch anytime. I also rewatched My Love Patzii, which isn't that good technically but I LOVE IT. It's like my comfort drama.
In other news, I watched Man of Steel in theaters and slightly obsessed with Henry Cavill's face now.
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snow_white
July 5, 2013 at 6:43 AM
WOW.....Delightful Girl Choon Hyang is my MOST favorite drama and my first one!!
LOVE it !! and Jae Hee rocks ♥
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 6:47 AM
Delightful Girl Choonhyang is a good older drama for sure! Haven't seen it in a while though, might be due for a re-watch for some laughs.
That show do make me obsess about wanting hair ornaments though!
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:10 AM
Every sageuk I watch makes me obsess about hair ornaments, hanbok and so on. I went on a hunt online and on the ground for traditional women's hanbok, but couldn't find anything, sigh.
I haven't watched DGCH yet, but I did just watch Story of Hyang Dan which I really enjoyed! You could feel the Arang-and-the-Magistrate roots in it, too. I personally would have loved it if it had been expanded into a longer drama, because it felt more like a highlights reel, but it was still a lot of fun. Especially the singing trio, IS. I laughed out loud when they turned up!
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 7:39 AM
Yeah same, also with the modern hanboks of Goong I really want to make an moderish honbok inspired dress.
I think I found a site which explained some of the hanbok's and the status of them (especially in sageuk) and also on the different hair ornaments, hats and wiggs used. I shall see if I can find it again!
That singing trio is awesome! I loved that show and all its parodies all over. It sorta made me think of the different books of Terry Pratchett in that regard.
Though I'm with you that it would be fun to see a longer version, I am happy that it was short. I'd rather wish for more and have it be too long if it makes sense?
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Rovi
July 5, 2013 at 8:46 AM
The girl trio is "Infinite of Sound", and yes I love how their genre is traditional fusion.
And yes we can see the snatches of the combo of "Arang" and "Jangh-hwa Hong-ryeon" (the folktale based on the horror "Two Sisters").
ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 8:01 AM
I hated delightful girl choonhyang ( as well as attic cat until I rewatched it recently) Can you tell me what you like so much about it? All I think of ch is that her life was ruined by meeting that guy.
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amee
July 5, 2013 at 1:58 PM
Totally late reply, but I think it was partly the nostalgia element. It was one of my first dramas. I also think Jae Hee's performance was really good. I could understand why you would hate it though, the second leads were terrible and it dragged near the end. I thought it was still a cute and upbeat drama though with a memorable OST.
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houstontwin
July 5, 2013 at 11:40 AM
DGC is one of my very first kdramas. I really loved it although I wasn't crazy about the female lead or her character.
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7 Mama J
July 5, 2013 at 6:38 AM
Good Morning My Wondrous Beans!
Ep 12 of Cruel City should be up shortly if it isn't already! Follow the link in the name! Still so obsessed with this show that I can't think of much else but...Monstar and I Hear Your Voice continue to grab me in a very good way.
I saw the first episode (part of, want to finish this morning) Blade and Petal and wow. Stunning to see, and a sucker for the trick shot stuff anyway. The music is too loud but I don't mind the musical choices at all. Uhm Tae Woong looks a bit younger here than normal (skin is better) but still too old to be Choi Min Soo's son. Like him, though. Like it all.
Like everyone, deeply mourning the loss of DC-Net. That was my go-to for movies and J-Doramas and often the first place to have an episode of something I was watching. Loved how items on the list of 'watching' would move up or down to alert me that it was there, or had been subbed. Sad day.
Ok, gotta run. Some work to do, but I am 'off' so I'll be drama-watching in a bit!
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 6:50 AM
It is a sad day to see DC-net being gone.. I have heard about some of the controversy over stolen subs, however it was the first site I ever found to watch drama's and I did like it a lot.
Does anyone actually know what happened? I know they denied it being a money issue, but a "changing scenery in dramaland" sounded a bit vague. And know theories is dramafever being behind the closing.
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saturtledaisy
July 5, 2013 at 8:15 AM
I think from now on, whenever a site with free drama shuts down - people are going to start suspecting df.
... Maybe with good reason.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 8:20 AM
Yeah I'm with you. Especially if those running the sites are vague about why it is shutting down.
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 8:26 AM
If you do a Google search, you can see a series of links that are labeled something like "this website has been taken down due to a DMCA complaint, to read more click here" and it takes you to a report where you can see who filed copyright claims against an individual website. So, I know that DF is coming up in this discussion, but they're not the only ones filing copyright claims. Many of the claims are coming from the original broadcast networks in Korea and Japan, which is understandable as it is their content. I just find it a little frustrating because unlike kdramas, which are becoming available more and more in the U.S. especially within the last few years, jdramas remain unavailable. You would think with the massive popularity of Japanese popular culture in the U.S. that someone would have expanded into this market. Missed opportunities people!
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Windsun33
July 5, 2013 at 11:07 AM
Japan for some reason is WAY behind the curve on licensing and subbing the J-dramas and movies. I think that some are finally starting to move after seeing the success (and competition) from K-dramaland and Taiwan, but they have been very late to the race.
Which is a shame really, as in many cases the J-dramas are often better (or at least with a LOT less Makjang and over-the-top dramatics).
I read someplace a while back that the US is the 4th largest market for Taiwan made movies - Hong Kong was the biggest, but I suspect that includes tons of blackmarket material actually ending up in China. **
** Interesting factoid about China: Back in the Bad Old Days (pre 1990'ish) in China, Teresa Teng was a very famous singer from Taiwan, but her songs were banned in China. At the end of 1990, it was estimated by one observer that over 1.2 Billion blackmarket copies of her songs existed in China.
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 11:39 AM
I know that some of the companies that bring anime over to the U.S. also obtain the licensing for jmovie distribution, so I don't even think it's as much of an issue with films, though they are probably somewhat limited in variety. However, there is still silence on the drama front. (And, to a large extend, the music front. That is another thing I don't understand, since the demand in the U.S. market for jpop and jrock is pretty high.)
I agree about it being a shame that jdramas haven't found their way stateside, but disagree on the jdramas are better than kdramas front. I know people periodically get into these debates, but I think that jdramas and kdramas have different selling points, and that within each area there are stronger dramas and weaker dramas. It's like comparing apples and oranges - they're both fruit, but they're not the same fruit, and some people may prefer one over the other but neither is inherently better.
hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 11:41 AM
*large extent
DayDreamer
July 5, 2013 at 9:28 AM
My heart broke seeing DramaCrazy shut down....definitely the first site I go to for dramas. But hey, as long as I get my free subbed dramas elsewhere, I cans till be happy, lol.
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Windsun33
July 5, 2013 at 10:52 AM
The "Changing Scenery" referred to the fact that when DC and similar sites first started up, companies like Hulu, Amazon streaming, Netflix etc. did not exist or were in their infancy. When I first started with Hulu, you could count the number of Korean/Asian movies and dramas on one hand (not counting the vintage, very badly dubbed HK Kung-Fu stuff). Hulu, Amazon, and Netflix now have hundreds or thousands or foreign (not just Asian) movies and TV dramas - and they paid for the rights for those.
Hate them or not, Drama Fever was one of the few to see the potential and get legal licensing rights - something that DC, MuSoju, and other now defunct sites failed to see apparently. DC also screwed up by being far too lax in what was uploaded - there were many examples of them ripping off legally subbed versions, and not only from DramaFever, but also from MBC.
One obvious problem though is that the licensing rights are usually only for certain regions, such as North America. So if you live someplace else, you might be out of luck for now. Supposedly DF has gotten licensing for Australia/NZ & Brazil, but not much else. The Euro zones are a total mess because of the legal issues there - even giants such as Microsoft have problems there.
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Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 6:57 AM
Okay, I had a bit of time on my hands and marathoned Cruel City to include ep 12. I am officially IN!! It is not my favorite, but it seems so...dark and adult but not in an oppressive way. Nice an twisty but is may be getting a bit too twisty - who is a cop, who is not, who is a bad guy, who is not, etc.
Also, this is the second time I have seen a twisted, evil, childish leader (reminiscent of the baddie in K2H). Both had my skin crawling.
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shukmeister
July 5, 2013 at 9:00 AM
Waiting -
If you like CCity, pop over and read the Squeecaps on kakashi's blog!
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Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 3:22 PM
Shuk, it is on my list! :)
I also have a bit of a prezzie for all of you. You all came to mind when I say this and HAD to buy it. :)
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Jaeminuf
July 7, 2013 at 5:10 PM
Which I love, love, love. Hilarious recaps.
Why is it not Monday already?
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Aigoo
July 5, 2013 at 7:10 AM
OMG! DC is shutting down?! I didn't even know! OMG! Now I have no clue what I'm going to do! Where else do I watch dramas not on viki?
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:14 AM
Already gone :(
try good drama dot net, no spaces.
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MEK
July 5, 2013 at 9:19 AM
epdrama.com is okay but dramacrazy was waaaay better
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:13 AM
Yes! I'm mourning DC as well :(
DC.net was my first exposure to kdrama. So sad :(
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 8:21 AM
Same here. DC was the place I really started watching asian dramas after my friend introduced me to them.
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latteholic
July 5, 2013 at 7:15 AM
Re: Blade and Petal. It's GORGEOUS for sure, but it's funny how there is so much music in the first half and then it went all quiet (not totally quiet, but the music felt more subdued) in the second half that I fell asleep during CMS and UTW's scene. That 80's jam is definitely one that cracked me up. Probably the only laugh I got from this otherwise serious show.
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Hedviglilla
July 5, 2013 at 7:37 AM
The DC thing ruined my Tuesday. I was so sad :( I was visiting/enjoying that site since 2009. Everything (okay almost) was there in alphabetical order and Speedy Joe. I'll miss it.
Although, I heard a rumor why it was shut down. People say that Dramafever (which had an issue over Level 7 with Dramabeans as well if I remember well) want to monopolise the KDrama online watching industry and make people to pay for watching an episode. It's just a rumor, but that would be a depressing future....
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saturtledaisy
July 5, 2013 at 8:18 AM
I wonder if df will ever succeed. I think fans will always be trying to find away to circumvent that. Even if it means they need to make new sites over and over and over again.
For the time being, I've mostly switched to watching shows with Chinese subs. They're so easy to find (and fast!)
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 10:19 AM
There are probably always fans who will go for whatever the cheapest option is. However, DF is limiting their full possible success by dividing the drama community, providing low quality subs, and behaving in an unprofessional manner in their business model (no I am not talking about copyright claims here, though certainly going after review blogs over copyright is a bullying tactic that will garner them no favors). Not only do you have DF blog posts like the one during the PSH rape investigation asking fans to vote on whether he was guilty or not (which is a call back to all the less reputable news sites out there nowadays which poll on things that really don't need polling), but you have them pulling moves like using MySoju in their advertising after they got it shut down. Or the conflict with certain fansub groups. This is bad PR and bad business. I think the model could succeed in more capable hands.
In contrast, YA Entertainment always had a really great relationship with fans. I found Dramabeans through them, and they sent personal responses to drama requests. That was a kdrama business done right. I am so sad they had to close down.
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 11:03 AM
It's not even about the cheapest option though.
Sometimes there is no option. I CAN'T watch dramafever, and I can't watch most of Viki either.
I'm the first one to buy DVD for films if they are available. I've sometimes waited for months when even when a film had been uploaded somewhere online when I thought it *stood a chance* (not even certain, but just a possibility) of being screened at a festival or in the cinema within the next year or two.
Honestly, I think many aspects of copyright should be reconsidered with the era of the internet / digitisation now – dramas/films/music/books etc. SHOULD be available to everyone everywhere in the world and access should be reasonable.
Windsun33
July 5, 2013 at 11:36 AM
Aside from the legal and copyright issues, where I think that DF is in the right, DF has a lot of other issues that they really need to address pretty soon.
As you mentioned, their interaction with fans and customers has been "iffy" at best. Their quality control on subbing some of the less popular movies and dramas has been abysmal. Their HULU app has sucked for the past several months. The rape case blogging thing was just downright stupid on their part. Their servers sometimes have speed and sync issues, especially during prime viewing hours.
I really wish that DF would get their act together on the technical and subbing side, or get taken over by someone more competent.
hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 11:52 AM
@alua - I understand what you are saying about not being in a region where DF and Viki are available. My comment on the "cheapest option" was in response to Saturtledaisy's speculation that drama fans will always try to find ways to circumvent the system. It was not meant to be critical of those who do not have access. I was just suggesting that out of DF's potential pool of customers, DF is really shooting themselves in the foot.
@Windsun33 - I can't complain about DF making copyright claims over at websites streaming dramas they have the licensing for, but this idea that those rights extend to reviews and recaps is not something I buy. Except, I think I take a different approach in that instead of me wishing for DF to get their management together, I just want another legal competitor to hop into the game with as much clout as they have to show them how a good business is done. This would also ensure they don't move toward a drama streaming monopoly.
alua
July 5, 2013 at 12:03 PM
@hydrangeabloom Oh, I didn't think you were being critical of those who have no access at all. :-)
I'm just venting my frustration...
hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 12:12 PM
@alua - Oh, ha ha. Whoops! Vent away. :)
Windsun33
July 5, 2013 at 12:51 PM
@hydrangeabloom
I could go for them getting some real competition. I was hoping Viki would be it, but at this point Viki has not even managed to get their Android app working right, much less ROKU and other streaming devices.
hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 1:48 PM
@Windsun33 - I'm with you. I was hoping Viki would step up their game. On the one hand, I do think that their streaming services have improved over the past few years especially in terms of video quality (I only started watching dramas there with any kind of regularity recently), but they need to expand their selection in order to take on DF. Or we could get someone new in the game, maybe tackle the jdrama availability issue.
saturtledaisy
July 5, 2013 at 2:51 PM
I would totally use dramafever or viki - the legal options - if it were properly available to me. Heck, I would PAY to be able to watch dramas. But, like you said, dramafever's service isn't exactly great. They started up a poll for what now??! And I've heard that their subs aren't all that good either. Not sure if I want to pay for THAT.
I wish Viki would work for me; I used to use it but then suddenly most dramas started becoming unavailable for my region =(.
So I understand what DF is doing - since they bought the license and all, but when it comes to something like this I don't think they can ever stop dramas from being available for free anyway. They'd be better off spending resources on trying to convince people that watching dramas at dramafever is the /better/ option rather than the /only/ option (impossible). Which is currently definitely not the case
Mama J
July 5, 2013 at 8:18 AM
Whatever it was, it was not DramaFever. If it was not a personal issue of the site owner, then most likely they fell victim to the new copyright laws in Korea. They'll be missed.
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Windsun33
July 5, 2013 at 11:20 AM
Why would it be a rumor?
Fact is, DF has paid (as in REAL MONEY) for the rights to sub and release most of those dramas. Someone, somewhere, somehow has to pay for these things. DF does pay, DC did not (and in fact they ripped off some of the legally subbed stuff from DF, MBC, and even other maybe-not-legal fan-sub sites).
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saturtledaisy
July 5, 2013 at 2:54 PM
DC definitely wasn't legal, but they were an easy option for fans who do not have any other way to watch dramas. It's understandable that licenseholders want to shut these practices down, but I just don't believe they can completely stop people from making them available for free anyway. They'd be better off spending energy in upping their services.
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8 MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 6:39 AM
HI OT!
It's the first time I'm here so early ^^".
I asked this question on the last Cyrano Agency recap and since I'm still curious I wanted to ask here as well. Now that we’ve gotten a bit of our Cyrano in our Agency, I was wondering if there’s something in the drama that has a similar symbolic tone to Cyrano’s huge nose from the play? Just curious about the full length of parallels or similar themes between the play and the drama.
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Mama J
July 5, 2013 at 6:47 AM
I'm guessing Master's 'big nose' is his gangster past.
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 7:19 AM
I didn't consider that before. But at the same time, I thought Seo Byung Hoon would be the most similar to Cyrano (he's the one with the poetic words and with Master asking for his help through the agency, I find it similar to when Cyrano starts writing letters to Roxanne as Christian). So the big nose could also be Seo Byung Hoon's past.
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Mama J
July 5, 2013 at 8:20 AM
Could be...but the whole thing with Cyrano was he felt to shy to approach a woman because of his 'handicap' right? I don't see Byeong Hoon being too shy, but I DO see Master as feeling quite unsure of himself even though he did make the move initially. He's always so willing to pull it back and make it a joke, out of fear of being rejected.
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Mama J
July 5, 2013 at 8:22 AM
I mean, I know Cyrano was not the suitor in Cyrano. He wrote the words that the suitor used for Rosalind (that's her name, right? I can't remember the guy's name.) So literally, then yes, BH would be Cyrano...but emotionally it feels like MASTER is Cyrano...loving the girl but not feeling worthy.
Mama J
July 5, 2013 at 8:23 AM
I guess that will change when BH does start helping Master woo her and we learn why he doesn't feel he deserves it himself...sorry for all the separate comments I'm an idiot this morning.
MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 9:19 AM
Tbh, I didn't actually read the play (Sparknotes is my best friend) so if my comments seem wacky that might have to do with it. From the gist I got, Cyrano was in love with Roxane (the woman at the center) but couldn't approach her because of his insecurity over his huge nose. I'm basing some of my thoughts on the next episode preview that shows BH deciding to help Master because he thinks Master is a better guy for her. I think Master is like Christian (the other love interest in the play) because he is so awkward with his words. It's obvious that Min Young is Roxane since they share the same soft spot for love and she seems to gravitate towards Master initially and then as the most recent episode shows, she realized her crush on BH.
I think you have a point with Master having the emotional connection of unworthiness. It's like his gangster past keeps hanging over his head. I wonder if the ahjussi who is always in his restaurant has anything to do with it. Following the thought thread that Master is emotionally like Cyrano, then the ahjussi's continuous presence in Master's restaurant and his reformed life could be the symbolic (or is it metaphor?) parallel to the nose.
But yeah, I think we'll learn why BH doesn't feel like he should be with Min Young in the next episode. Now that we're having this discussion, I feel the need to actually read Cyrano de Bergerac and if the academic opportunity ever came up, I would attempt to write an essay about it (because I'm crazy, of course).
9 Manin
July 5, 2013 at 6:40 AM
Happy Friday and OT everyone!
How is everyone? It's very very warm at 16 degrees Celsius (yes I'm not kidding, is warm!) and cloudy here. I wish it would decide to just rain instead of just being dark and ominous though.
And Bureaucrats are still being unhelpful and complicated. Still, I am graduating on tuesday! So weird!
Tales from the till:
- Please don't build mountains when you get to the till. It is annoying, and yes things will fall down no matter how careful we are.
- Tips, if you want it to go faster, look where the barcode scanner is located, if you place your items with the bar code facing the scanner or at least easily seen it's gonna take half the time at the till.
- Sports hating old men always provide fun. Same with old security guards. Especially since they can, and will make snide comments about rude people behind them and/or kids running wild without control. Also, I like the old lady that comes around and gives us candy cause she feels sorry for us.
Dramaland:
-Mia Taeng: This is my new crack. (and giving me sleepless nights). God I hate that girlfriend! And why drama do we need a close up of her face every time the guy hugs her close? We get it, she is being manipulating! and the dramatic music... Like the wife having a bit of a backbone though, atleast towards the girlfriend. And the husband is finally being a bit sweet. The ex needs to take the hint though...
-Monstar & Kiss in Tokyo (I cannot remember the spelling, ever) Still very much behind on them.. Also so sad Dramacrazy is down as that's where I was watching.
Aaaaand that seems to be all I'm watching atm. Huh, how odd. I need to renew my drama list (Any one has any suggestions?), and find new places to watch dramas.. And probably get my friend to teach me the downloading ropes xD
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:34 AM
Try good drama dot net without any spaces!
If you can DL, the asiatorrents dot net, but you have to make sure you keep your ratios good.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 7:41 AM
Yeah I know of GD. I use to use that back to back with DC :)
I'm a big downloading wuss, so I'll have my friend walk me through it. It's going to be like trying to teach an old person to use online banking!
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trixicopper
July 5, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Downloading is not difficult. Just different. It's worth getting used to it. Better quality video, no lagging, no part 1 part 2 etc.,and best of all no commercials! :)
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Mama J
July 5, 2013 at 6:01 PM
All I know is if you download torrents you also have to upload torrents and I'm not sure about that side of it. First of all, what would I have that isn't already there?
Windsun33
July 5, 2013 at 11:46 AM
I don't often download unless the streaming quality is poor, or I think I might want to watch it later or again.
However, when I do, I use one of those memory sticks instead of my hard drive or a CD. Even the cheap 8 GB ones will hold a full movie in 720P. For 1080 you will probably need a 16 GB, but since they can be used over and over forever, not a biggy to me. With a memory stick can also plug it into my big screen TV, laptop, or pad thingy.
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 1:50 PM
Ha! I recently invested in a 3TB external HD. It's filling up with HD kdramas, sigh.
The thing with DLing is once you start, going back is hard: the quality is SO much better, especially especially premium sageuk which is AMAZING in HD (the first thing I ever watched in HD was Princess' Man - I honestly felt like if I watched it in SD, I was missing half of it). Also, if you like to keep stuff, you run out of space quickly.
Manin
July 5, 2013 at 3:42 PM
Haha Yeah I know of space problems! Though I have one 3TB external hiddriver (at lest I think that was the space thingy on it) and another portable one so I should be fine atm :p
I just need to figure out HOW to do it :p
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 4:31 PM
Manin - clapping gleefully that you are enjoying Mia Taeng.
Do you like the gay friend? his loyalty and caring made me want him as my friend too. Plus he cooks! I want to do brunch with him, some place where we could people watch and gossip and then go shopping together. Where does he gets the bravery to tell her the TRUTH about her behavior? Yet gives her the support and adoration she needs too. If her weren't gay, he might make her a good husband, although she'd never realize it.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 5:46 PM
The gay friend is awesome! And I so agree with you, he is a very good friend, almost better than what the leech deserves! I love his exclamations of "A gay is down!" and stuff when the brother/no brother/lover on the side (what's u with that?!) comes bulging in.. So funny.
Khongkhai is frustrating me though. I just want him to see how the girlfriend act and I just want him to trust the wife! Although, I suppose that on yourself you recognize others but still! And Ben! her husband being Pai's ex aside, you can tell why he would want to divorce her with the way she acts! And I cannot believe she would do that to herself and her own child!
This drama is bad for my nerves, and getting any sleep at all! :P
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 9:10 PM
While not usually on the side of divorce, in the case of crazy enough to harm your own child, I make exception.
But be of good faith ... this is a drama about people realizing their bad behavior and making amends. By choosing better, greater happiness ensues.
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Manin
July 6, 2013 at 1:23 AM
Yeah, I mean her husband hasn't rally been the best either. But then you sit down and talk about it, even with a therapist if needed. Just not jump and make yourself miscarriage. That is not a healthy relationship for either side!
That is nice to know :p I'm really liking the mum/mother-in-law though. Okay so she picked someone she liked and made her son marry her, but still. She is pretty awesome.
10 Mystisith
July 5, 2013 at 6:40 AM
Hello fellow dramabeaners! That week was exhausting emotionally in Dramaland and I commented to my heart content in the diverse threads. Too tired to redo that here, lol so I will wish everyone a good WE instead... Mine will probably dedicated to my bed: I'm seriously sleep deprived (and it's partly my fault). In fact, if I could rest and wake up for IHYV ep 11, that would be perfect but RL needs me apparently.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 6:53 AM
I hear you about being sleep deprived, and wish I could have your weekend in bed! Instead I have to travel along with my mum, sister and grandma, all 3 of which are reliable for an emotional melt down at any time when in close proximity..
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:36 AM
Damn RL. I did the opposite this week: slept a lot and to heck with dramas and emails. Feel a lot better now though!
Have a good weekend!
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11 snow_white
July 5, 2013 at 6:41 AM
hiiiiiiiiiiiiii :)
So I finally dropped YTBLSS after ep 34.....it became tiring to watch.....not even the OTP scenes interest me anymore....
Started Dating Agency: Cyrano and fell in love with it......it has just everything I want in a drama....love the awesome couple of Sooyoung and Lee Jong Hyuk ♥
finished Dalja's Spring.....great show....so funny and heart-warming...
Started Secret Garden....so hilarious (finished 7 eps)
I have to start reading Anna Karenina....has anyone read it?? reviews are welcome :)
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Elizabeth Bennet
July 5, 2013 at 6:53 AM
Anna Karenina is a great novel. One of my favorites.
Rather than Anna & Vronsky's story I like the secondary story of Levin & Princess Kitty best. Actually I'm crushing on Levin real bad.
And it must have been so good to be able to read it the first time. You are in for a treat.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 6:55 AM
I applaud you for sticking to YTBLSS for so long!
Secret Garden is good for laughs! I like how the female lead has a backbone as well!
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 6:55 AM
Hi snow_white! I also finished Dal Ja's Spring! Happy sigh!
I wasn't in love with the enforced separation and timeskip at the end though - why can't people just BE together? There is nothing more heartbreaking in a drama (and in life?) than two people who love each other without any other reason not to be together not being together. It's one thing when love is all they have - despite the romance of the idea, just love isn't enough to build a life on. But Dal Ja and Tae Bong had everything else even before they had love. That frustrated me. I get all the reasons blah blah blah, it just felt like such a waste. Life isn't long enough to waste time.
Another pet hate: is there something wrong with people being TOGETHER while they work themselves out? You want to go abroad, or study, or save money, or open your own shop? Fine, but why can't we be together while you do it? Argh. I hated that in Coffee Prince and Kim Sam Soon, too. And anywhere else I've seen it. In real life...just. Life is short. It should be spent with the ones you love, and busy for them. There are lots of very real reasons why people have to separate or can't be together. It shouldn't be something done easily and lightly. Also, I loved that YB had the resolution it did. You can be TOGETHERRRR and do different things!!!1
Re: SeGa: I don't want to spoil anything for you, so come back and share your thoughts when you finish!
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saturtledaisy
July 5, 2013 at 8:22 AM
The separation thing has like a 99% of happening in kdramas. I've heard that it's something cultural, but the Koreans just LOVE this whole true-love-means-waiting-for-eachother thing.
I don't like it, but I'm not surprised when it comes up in almost every drama. People just HAVE to separate somehow and meet again much later. Sometimes even centuries later.
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 8:35 AM
Yeah, the separation thing also really bothered me in Flower Boy Next Door because it didn't seem like they needed to be apart during that period but what can you do. I agree with you so much about YB, though I would even say it is okay for characters to be interested in an try out multiple things. I mean, did Mi-nyu really need to stop singing just because her brother was back in town? She clearly enjoyed it and had the talent. Why can't she be an awesome social worker AND a singer? :P I do love that drama.
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Rovi
July 5, 2013 at 8:52 AM
I think the separation issue, why Koreans love watching it, is due to han. I dunno...
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Rovi
July 5, 2013 at 8:57 AM
I think the separation issue, why Koreans love watching it, is due to the concept of han. I dunno...
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Ash
July 5, 2013 at 9:02 AM
I'm willing to give Coffee Prince a pass because at least they communicated with each other, but the dramas where they have zero contact for a year or more because they're ~figuring out who they are and working toward their dreams~ just make me angry. Like, sure, maybe you can't live in the same city, but for the love of god, we have telephones and the internet. AT LEAST TALK TO EACH OTHER. (And if it's a kdrama, one of you is probably a chaebol heir: PLANE TICKETS, BUY THEM.)
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 9:18 AM
"but the dramas where they have zero contact for a year or more because they’re ~figuring out who they are and working toward their dreams~ just make me angry."
Exactly!
And in some of those dramas they don't even know where their supposed beloved went and yet still hold out for 3, 7, 10 years sometimes.
Drives. Me. Bonkers.
Or when at the end of the drama the OTP finally gets together but go live in different places WITHOUT a concrete end date or plan, e.g. Tatta Hitotsu no Koi, Osozaki no Himawari, Kekkon Shinai (and some of these are actually GOOD dramas).
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 10:25 AM
Ha! It's always funny to me in the dramas where the lead couple knew each other for maybe two or three months, and then are separated for YEARS but somehow don't move on with their lives. Except, I really loved MGIAG, so I almost forgive it for that (almost). However, I think writers are too trigger happy with time skips in general.
alua
July 5, 2013 at 11:16 AM
I find it quite irritating... it's just sends the wrong message.
I don't believe in the 'you're fated to be with one person only ever' – I mean, sure, it would be nice, but put your life on hold for half a decade or two because of someone who vanished into thin air (as happens in many dramas)? What kind of life is that? Or what if your partner dies at some point? You are doomed forever now?
That's why I can't relate to videos like this (a friend posted it on FB saying "how sweet", I think it's cheesy at best... and problematic at worst):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdt4ftlvoZs
(Kina Grannis was lovely though and Harry Shum Jr. was great Tico-Gringo eyecandy :-) ).
Windsun33
July 5, 2013 at 12:36 PM
Yup - I think the "I am going overseas" and "I am going to study (XYZ in ABC) so wait 2,3,4 years for me" seems to be one of the most overused plot devices in K-dramaland. It really starts to get a bit iffy for me at times though - in one show it was 5 years, yet of course they got back together just like they had parted 2 days ago. (and of course, the heroine even after spending 5 years in America getting her Ph.D could barely speak 4 words of English, but that is a different rant...).
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Mar
July 5, 2013 at 1:10 PM
Regarding Alua's fated to be with one person forever comment-The thing with k dramas are that it does not promote that fairy tale for the most part. Yes there are fate tropes, but K dramas are all about there are choices-hence the the second male lead. When the female lead makes her choice, it's a good choice, but if she'd chosen the other guy, that would be a good choice too. I personally love that about k drama-there is always more than one right person for you in life.
Regarding the separation that occurs in almost every drama, this is a Korean cultural concept at play related to enduring suffering-the concept of Han.
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 1:28 PM
You're right... I generally write my thoughts talking about K / J and TW drama, but if I think about it K dramas don't scream that FATE message the way J and perhaps especially TW dramas do (Endless Love? Alice in Wonder City?... dozens come to mind with TW dramas).
That said, the OTP always seems to be non-negotiable that in some way it doesn't seem like a choice, even if the plot makes it seem that way. In too many dramas, K-ones included, you know that the second lead doesn't stand a chance.
Mar
July 5, 2013 at 1:53 PM
Alua- Yes, I see your point on how k dramas seem preset, (and really they are, I mean hello script lol), and I think we all know how it's going to play out so we become jaded! I always refer back to my first k drama and think about how that made me feel, how either "love" could be a successful relationship.
atz
July 5, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Though I am an Asian and probably much older than average viewers, I have never seen a real couple who were fated to be together from their childhood. So I find those dramas are not that convincing. As for a second lead, it is true, they have no chance. In particular if a male were a second lead, the main female figure always stick with the her first love! I love to see a drama that can break this pattern. It is ok that women can be swayed by other guys other than their first love. I thought this can happen with ' I need a romance' but in the end, she went back with her first choice... The second lead was much better!!
Mar
July 5, 2013 at 9:09 PM
@atz
Quite often the second lead IS the first love but does not end up with the girl. Not always but often.
Spoiler-second lead gets the girl dramas
Try
Dream High-there is a male lead shift. it's not a second lead gets the girl, but more like the second lead male become the lead male.
Also I understand in Queen of Reversals the 2nd lead gets the girl. I do not know for sure because I'd never watch it because I do not like the actor.
snow_white
July 5, 2013 at 10:50 PM
same here: I did not understand why Dalja wanted to break up when everything was going right....just because of some ex-girlfriend's words.....
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12 john
July 5, 2013 at 6:45 AM
Happy Lazy,hazy, crazy day of summer Friday.
Watching a lot of stuff, behind on Voice.
Looking forward to Monstar.
A moment of silence for the passing of DramaCrazy.
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Merry
July 5, 2013 at 12:41 PM
Indeed, quite discombobulating. I am posting from 37 degrees west African country. Been here 5 days, when a friend emailed in panic that DC was shutting down. Told her to check OT for leads on alternate sites. Still with the sun at 740 pm. Will be in an east African country early morning Sunday. It is Ramadan time. I wish all Muslims a meaningful and prayerful season. Dramas on hold for two more weeks. Happy weekend everyone!
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13 opheliadrowning
July 5, 2013 at 6:46 AM
Happy Friday, All!
So this week I started watching "I Summon You, Gold!" and though I am at the point of hating most of the characters save for the leads, I keep marathoning the episodes because it is there. Is anyone else watching this show?
From a cultural standpoint though, one thing that is interesting to me about the show is how two of the characters are the rich man's mistresses--and how one of them functions as the man's live-in wife because he never officially divorced his first. How widely common or acceptable is this in South Korea?
Also, anyone have any recommendation for new or old kdrama romantic comedies? My taste runs along the lines of "City Hall," "My Princess," and "Dalja's Spring." Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 6:57 AM
I would recommend "Delightful Girl Choonhyang", and "Que Sera Sera" (though its a bit more angsty. Still a good drama though). Trying to rake my brain for other suggestions.
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opheliadrowning
July 5, 2013 at 5:10 PM
Cool! I will try both. I had tried Delightful Girl but got busy and dropped it for the time being. And I'll have to check out Que Sera Sera if I can find it on Dramafever or Viki!
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 5:52 PM
Yeah I dropped it the first time I tired to watch it as well. Got it re-recommended, gave it another shot and ended up really liking it. So there is still hope ;)
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Mystisith
July 5, 2013 at 7:01 AM
ISYG was very good until the last episodes... Something changed (writer?), probably to try breaking the 30% ratings mark & I don't like much the direction. The polygamous dad with kids left and right is not that far from reality: SK is notoriously the country of affairs, mistresses and hidden kids. If the man has the money to pay for everyone, it's kind of accepted. Their notion of family is pretty exotic and the fact that they like to preach morality (filial piety, neo confucianism and all) always makes me smile. Contradictions!
Talking about old rom-coms: I'm rewatching The woman who still wants to marry. It's really a fun show. I rewatched What's up, fox? recently and it's also a good oldie. Another one: 9 end 2 outs. All those dramas come from MBC: A few years ago, they had awesome rom coms. Not so much now...
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 7:42 AM
Ohh, yeah I recently watched "What's up fox?" And totaly loved it!
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korfan
July 5, 2013 at 7:53 AM
Mystisith -
I also recently watched The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry. This is a good one!
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Ash
July 5, 2013 at 9:08 AM
Seconding (thirding?) The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry.
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Amanda
July 5, 2013 at 7:41 AM
I'm watching Queen of Reversals right now and really loving it—it has a bit of the workplace vibe of Dalja's Spring, although it's more serious. Pasta is also a slightly older rom-com that's worth watching.
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ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 7:58 AM
if you haven't seen sandglass I think you should watch it. It's an epic drama that is the right length. It's not fake epic ( too many dramas are fake epic) When you see choi min soo act you'll see what cha seung won is trying to achieve. The problem with sandglass is the subs are disappointing. They will do, but I think they should be better. If you haven't seen go hyun jung's HIT I think that is a good one to watch as well.
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MariD
July 5, 2013 at 8:44 AM
I second Que sera sera!! I'll add My Girl it's older but funny & I love the leads. Do you only watch Kdramas? Because there's some very good T-dramas I could recommend.. Starting with In time with you.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 5:49 PM
Seconding "My Girl"! It's nice for laughs and light hearted entertainment.
What is "In time with you" about?
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Windsun33
July 5, 2013 at 12:48 PM
I have been watching ISYG pretty regular, though with mixed feelings about it.
For a while there it almost seemed like it was going into that Hundred Year Inheritance or YTBYSS horribility (is that a word? ) but the last couple episodes seem to have backed off on that.
I have a few peeves about it, but it is nowhere near as bad as the screaming psycho-moms in YTBYSS. It looks like the heroine might be finally starting to stick up a little more for herself - I liked it when she finally told her mom that "giving people everything they want is not love" (referring I think to the mom spending tons of money on the younger sister while she had to give up on college and a lot of other things).
It is not at the top of my list, but it is far from the bottom. I am sure that somewhere along the line, she will finally meet her twin sister, I just hope the writers don't make that into a non-event filled with fluffy nothings.
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Mar
July 5, 2013 at 1:14 PM
The Woman That Still Wants to Marry
My Name is Kim Sam Soon
Pasta
Personal Taste
Protect The Boss
Last Scandal of My Life
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 5:50 PM
Seconding My Name is Kim Sam Soon and Last Scandal of My Life
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hillarytnt
July 11, 2013 at 2:56 AM
Loved everything on your list except Last Scandal on My Life. I regularly rewatch everything else on your list ... Saw each of them in entirety at least 4 times ... and certain episodes more than 10 times.
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14 korfan
July 5, 2013 at 6:46 AM
Hello Everyone!
I hope you are all doing well today. To all the Beans (or is it Beanies? Hehehe) in the U.S., I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!
So I have to share the following ..... I spoke with someone this week who declared that the actress who plays Mi-do in WAML is "not that bad" in the drama. ...... How I wish you guys could have been there to see the stunned look on my face. Come to think of it, with my stunned look, I may have looked like Mi-do with her "Expression #1", then again, it could have been her "Expression #2"...... who knows at this point, since they're interchangeable. ..... *giggles*
Finished watching Queen of the Office. It wasn't that bad, I must say. It did leave a couple of details unexplained, but it did have these little moments that just shined (Mr. Mu!). It was an interesting little drama which did shed light on the whole contract worker reality in Korea, which I was certainly not familiar with.
Continued with:
- WAML (those white shirts!! ..... love 'em!)
- Dong Yi
- caught 2 episodes of AHYI (that new DIL with her dog "Coco" is laugh-out-loud nutty!)
On a different note, add my Mom to the list of people who have dropped YTBLSS. She dropped it at episode 16.
New dramas start next week! I'll have to check them out!
Take care everyone and have a wonderful Friday!
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 6:59 AM
Oh Dongi Yi! I liked that drama! Though I feel you could pin point the exact moment they received an extension. I've rewatched my favorite bits a lot though. So nice when you can fast forward the scheming schemers.
Love the relationship with the kind and the head eunuch though. So funny!
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owl
July 5, 2013 at 7:46 AM
When we can't have more shirtless, those white shirts are a nice fill in, Korfan!
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korfan
July 5, 2013 at 7:57 AM
owl -
Oh, for sure! ........ a very nice fill in, indeed! :)
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15 CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 6:48 AM
Hi all:
I Hear Your Voice: Loving this show so much . I love the way it surprises us and how it's peopled with so many good-hearted folks/kids. It's like it's showing us the best and worst of human nature. Am thinking Su-Ha probably killed Big Bad in self-defense and just can't deal with the guilt so he went all amnesiac. Ahjussi who nephew-ized him probably helped to bury the body. Of course, i wouldn't be surprised if Min Gook showed up..because the show is that good at keeping us guessing. I love how even though we see Su-Ha's utter cluelessness, we also see that he's also quite intelligent and --even in his amnesiac state-- he's good at deducing and catching on to folks' emotions.
Shark: Yi Soo had better start cracking in his aim for revenge or I'll lose patience with him. Am really feeling more for the innocent collateral damage folks than for him. Granted, good guys have lived in a wonderful world built on delusion but heck, who's life isn't built on delusion? We all have some ancestor who did bad back in the day, so second lead and heroine shouldn't be so devastated that their family has been involved in evil. Yet... their devastation is really touching my heart. Reminds me of poor Hyuk in Incarnation of Money.
Blade and Flower: Am really liking this? And what's with that weird fusion music?
Heartless/Cruel City: Still have not returned to it. My patience with Soo Min and Hyung Min is nil. I might go back if I hear returning is worth it.
Not feeling any desire or need to see Monstar, Cyrano, etc..but really wanting to catch up on Mandate of Heaven. Am about 13 episodes behind. Wanting to watch Love Around. But actually went back and re-watched Faith. Wondering where the heck are the subs for the J-dramas I was watching? Otome-san, etc. Liking the new J-drama about Otou-san who died (possibly murdered) and his family "didn't really know him."
Terribly bummed about Animecrazy/Dramacrazy...so trying to find new k-drama and anime homes. I like Viki but they often don't have a lot...especially J-dramas. Plus that was where i kept my favorites...Now i'm afraid of forgetting the names of all my faves.
That's about all, i think. Have a good weekend, all!
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Nadia
July 5, 2013 at 7:03 AM
I am glad that I started watching Love Around. So much so, that I started watching their previous drama Love Now. This helps to fill in the gap of their great chemistry until new episodes of Love Around air and are subbed.
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 7:33 AM
I've been contemplating on whether or not to start Love Around. I rarely watch TW/C-dramas on air since they run a lot longer than kdramas and when they go all crazy I feel like I've wasted a great deal of my time. Sounds like it's good if you started another drama because of it, haha. How are the leads and plot? I haven't watched George Hu in anything since Romantic Princess (and that has been super long ago).
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Nadia
July 5, 2013 at 8:27 AM
Annie Chen and George Hu, the main leads for both Taiwanese dramas, have great chemistry. They truly deliver with great kissing scenes in Love Now. I am waiting with great anticipation for their kissing scene(s) in Love Around.
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Aigoo
July 5, 2013 at 7:18 AM
Hey Carole!
Be sure to let me know if you find a replacement for DC! I'm totally bummed about it...this is going to severely limit my ability to watch dramas.....sad sad day.....
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 7:24 AM
I am with you! It is a sad sad day, especially with the vast collection that DC had of k-,j-,t-and c-dramas.
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 8:26 AM
So far I collected alternatives:
Epdrama
gooddrama
dramaholics
yodrama
KTVshow
Anime-planet
I sometimes would watch old stuff on
aznv (dot) tv
and I'd watch
viki (because i'd have less clicking)
I haven't settled into any one of them yet. Sadly, none of them feel like home yet.
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Aigoo
July 5, 2013 at 8:37 AM
Where are you watching itazura na kiss? I can't believe we're so close to the end and now I might not be able to watch it anymore!
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MEK
July 5, 2013 at 9:32 AM
im always hesitant in mentioning aznv since they went underground (kinda).
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 12:25 PM
oops..sorry. I shouldn't have, should I?
saturtledaisy
July 5, 2013 at 8:26 AM
try drama holics or ep drama or good drama =3
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yumii
July 5, 2013 at 9:23 AM
Feeling the loss of Dramacrazy.
Few sites linked to the raws
Few sites had as many k-dramas new and old
Few sites had as many j-dramas.
and when I say few, I mean none that I know of.
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 2:30 PM
I'm sad about Dramacrazy too. I kept remembering all the great shows I first met there.
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wag-a-muffin
July 5, 2013 at 5:26 PM
Dear Carole
An off topic, but deeply felt "thank you" for not writing the titles of the shows you discussed in short hand.
Seriously, I'm going crazy looking for DPSEY or CKFWF in the title lists of K dramas.
(And if anyone is looking for what my capital letter abbreviations meant--don't. I made them up.)
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 5:57 PM
::giggle:: I know whereof you speak. I've gone crazy a few times attempting to figure out abbreviations.
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16 owl
July 5, 2013 at 6:53 AM
Last week’s post contained enough sadness for a country music hit. But things are brighter this week, beanies. A close friend - we call each other ‘sis’- texted me outta the blue:
Sis: eighth cup.
Me: ? (long pause. thinking. thinking.)
Sis: eighth cup.
Me: *light bulb* Really? C-c-coffee Prince? Chincha??
Sis: You mentioned it last Christmas and I’m in between jobs. Looked it up and I’m marathoning it this week. *she said marathon as a first-timer*
So…we texted back and forth, she finished all 17 episodes fast enough to make this kdramaddict proud.
Sis: What do you recommend next?
Me: (pondering, pondering –ah!) Flower Boy Next Door. I think you’ll like it. Text when you start. We can compare notes.
Sis: So, how many kdramas have you watched? How do you know about all this?
Me: Oh, just for fun here and there. *cough*
Refrained from texting her what I watched this week: QC, ICHYV, SIW, BBJ, BF, CC, ♥inT, Shark, S&F, Monstar, FB, CDA.
Next day:
Sis: Love it! I’m on episode 6. I stayed up ‘til 2 a.m.
*beaming!* She’s keeping up with the best of us. I’m impressed. So, now I’ve converted my (real) brother and my friend-sister. *brushes hands together in a one person high five*
Me: Hey. *all casual* If you’re interested there’s a site where I connect with other kdrama viewers – and you can read up on kdramas with ratings and recaps…it’s dramabeans. Anyway, look it up if you want.
Yesterday:
Sis: Oh, I checked out dramabeans. My ‘name’ – diegoenfuego.
Me: So cool!
She’s CONVERTED! Fighting! \/
-----
KDQOTD: “It’s not that the strong survive, but those that survive are strong.” (S&F ep 1)
Other things: Queen’s Classroom is fantastic. I cried so hard when HaNa and BoMi were crying over friendship (and how complicated it became). Loved when Teacher said: Teaching in public school is my mission.
Also, check out http://www.leekspin.com
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 3:39 PM
owl - you rock! diegoenfuego, welcome.
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 4:00 PM
What I watched this week:
Barefoot Friends
Kimi wa Petto (again)
Jeon Woo Chi
Lotus Lantern
Paen Rai Phai Rak
Real Love Please Press the Bell Twice
With Love
Shark
I Hear Your Voice
Love in Tokyo
Dating Agency Cyrano
Heartless City
Nail Shop Paris (dipped my toe back in for an ep b4 shaking head and running away again)
What's Up Fox ('cause of jomo)
My Queen (just started ... ep 1 hard to like heroine)
Long Vacation (just started ... )
So my list is long like yours.
With Love is a 1998 JDrama staring Takenouchi Yutaka that I randomly selected because I have a weakness for moody musicians. The technology ... Windows 95 and dialup modems! Is this related to You've Got Mail? Email lovers premise is similar. Anyways, I liked it.
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owl
July 5, 2013 at 4:22 PM
Hi Julia of the Berkshires -
I love Barefoot Friends for a variety show. They could edit it better, more action, less panning and showing non-stuff, but it's a fun diversion from kdramas.
What' s Kimi wa Petto?
Oh,been meaning to tell you that your name always reminds me of James Ttaylor's song Rockaby Sweet Baby James. (line ~ Oh, the Berkshires seemed dreamlike on account of that frosting...)
fighting!
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 5:15 PM
Kimi wa Petto is a rom/com about a career woman who discovers an injured young man on her doorstep and makes him her pet.
You get Matsumoto Jun with a curly mop of hair, puppy dog eyes, and a tendency to take bubble baths.
Accept no substitutions ... Jang Geun Suk's "Your my Pet" isn't as good as the jDrama.
owl
July 5, 2013 at 5:26 PM
Oh, even JSG couldn't make me go there (tried it, No.).
thanks, I'll check out the original!
alua
July 5, 2013 at 5:30 PM
That story with your friend-sis is brill. Love it.
You don't know Kimi wa Petto?!?!?!
It's one of my favourites. Particularly good when you need a pick-me-up drama that cracks you up.
As Julia said though, don't try the Korean film adaptation which is beyond awful (once you have watched the j-dorama, go read the You're My Pet film review on my blog and know what you saved yourself from.). ---> after because it's a very spoilerish review.
Sethe
July 6, 2013 at 12:16 AM
I also always think of that James Taylor song every time I see Julia's name! Always reminds me of winter in MA...
alua
July 5, 2013 at 5:26 PM
A Takenouchi Yutaka drama? He's soooo good. His dramas are not that easy to track down though, I've watched three (Nagareboshi, Rondo and the one that's a remake of the American film The Vow).
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owl
July 5, 2013 at 5:36 PM
Okay, alua and J - watching it tonight !
17 Makoto
July 5, 2013 at 6:53 AM
Happy OT everyone. I wish you have a wonderful weekend.
This week I'm still watching same dramas as last week:
- Bu Bu Jing Xin; at ep 27 now. I lost interest since I don't know where the story is going to take me. Maybe it's because I don't know about Chinese history. I just can't understand Ruoxi's thought at all.
- Cyrano Dating agency; ep 11 - 12. I didn't expect tears at all, and the cancer thing appears out of the blue. =)) what the heck, yet I cried a bit. I like Moo Jin - Hye Ri cute development. 2 awkward people in love. Master's past revealed, now I know he got another facial expression than his usual poker face. I love you, Master. If Min Young chose Byung Hoon, you can turn to me. Anytime.
- She is Wow; ep 10. The truth revealed, but it's still not clear yet wether Gong Jung Han is really a gay, or he pretends to love Ji Seung Gi because he feels guilty? I feel pity for General's wife. That creepy ahjumma from Chinese is so mysterious. Who is really she? The only lovable scene: Gong Min Kyu - Yoo Nan Hee moment. My heart broken watching them two. Min Kyu piggy backing her, recite promises she dictates him, and then she dies. Poor Min Kyu. :((
- Drama Special: My Friend is Still Alive and The Memory in My Old Wallet. Worth watching, but don't forget to have tissue supply. :D
- Variety Show: 1N2D Romantic Backpacking and It's alive, Taean! Lots of laugh and now I'm craving for hot octopus soup. :9
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Mystisith
July 5, 2013 at 7:11 AM
She is WOW: ep 11. They had to go there, really... Big mistake imo. Nan-Hee and MK were the only ray of light in that asylum since the parodic satyrical tone that I liked so much disappeared by the window. Now we go in Revenge Makjang land. WTF? Glad there is only 1 episode left.
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Newbie
July 5, 2013 at 7:14 AM
Did you see the drama specials in a subbed version? If yes, where?!
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 7:25 AM
I am interested as well!
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Lisa@SD
July 5, 2013 at 8:11 PM
You can watch My Friend Is Still Alive with English subs on KBSworld's channel in Youtube.
Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGj7b29zQk0
But see it soon because it seems that they remove some videos to make space for the new episodes of different shows.
I recommend Mamma Mia and The Human Condition, if you haven't seen them yet.
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Newbie
July 5, 2013 at 11:17 PM
Yay! Ryu Soo Young's special, the one i really wanted to watch, is there, too. Thank you! :)
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18 anonymous
July 5, 2013 at 7:00 AM
Dramacrazy is closing. Where i will watch my dramas? :-(
Please recommend some sites, friends.
Thanks in advance.
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jwspazz
July 5, 2013 at 7:07 AM
here ? http://www.gooddrama.net/
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Rachel
July 5, 2013 at 7:08 AM
I've switched to GoodDrama.net. Quite reliable and easy to use. Also has some older dramas. Have fun!
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Amanda
July 5, 2013 at 7:16 AM
I like GoodDrama a lot, too. Their library is every bit as complete as Drama Crazy's was. (And probably consists of the same videos anyway.)
I've listed a bunch of other streaming sites here, if you're interested in shopping around.
I hardly ever watch dramas that aren't on Dramafever, but it was nice to know that Dramacrazy was around, just in case. :(
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yumii
July 5, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Wow.
That's what I call comprehensive.
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jwspazz
July 5, 2013 at 10:14 AM
thanx for the sources ! :D
now shopping around your blog..~
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hillarytnt
July 11, 2013 at 3:30 AM
Thank you so much for providing. I have bookmarked all. I loved dramacrazy as it allowed me to watch the raws when subs taking long. It will be missed.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 7:26 AM
Yeah I used to use both of them against each other. CAuse if one would have a problem then I could watch the episode on the other one. DC tended to be faster in uploading though.
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Sethe
July 5, 2013 at 7:27 AM
You could also try epdrama... I've usually been able to find the dramas I want there, although they're sometimes a little slower with the subs (if that's an issue for you).
I was using dramafever, but it suddenly seems like they might be requiring registration and/or payment... not quite sure what the situation is there.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 7:44 AM
I never used dramafever, because it didn't work in my country. Their involvement in shutting down sites has also turned me off from wanting to use them as well.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 7:57 AM
Managed to delete half my comment I just discovered. epdrama has decent quality from what I've seen. used them a bit before but not as much as I've used dc and gooddrama
Aigoo
July 5, 2013 at 7:59 AM
I'm totally with you there - I don't want to succumb to their strategy of eliminating everyone else so we're forced to pay them to watch dramas!
Hedviglilla
July 5, 2013 at 8:00 AM
Same here! Half of dramafever I can't watch because ' It's not available in you country/region'. Annoying really, like I live in the Antarctis not in the middle of Europe. -.-
Manin
July 5, 2013 at 8:09 AM
Yeah that's what I don't like. The scare tactics and eliminating other sites, even those not intruding on their "copy right" while at the same time not being globally available. It's stupid, and annoying for people living outside of America.
And even though it can hurt them, (people boycotting and so on) at the end people will use them because they have no other option, and they know it.
It's bullying and ruling tactics right there. And had the other sites possessed the same "legitimacy" that dramafever can claim it would be illegally robbing people of fair brand competition.
Forgvn
July 6, 2013 at 7:10 AM
d-addicts has hardsubbed k drama torrents from kbs world
Newbie
July 5, 2013 at 7:59 AM
Isn't epdrama rumored to close down, too?
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 8:06 AM
Is it? I hope not!
MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 8:19 AM
I heard that it was. I thought DC and epdrama were somewhat immune to the drama site crackdown since it survived that previous one that resulted in kimichidrama and mysoju being taken down. But seeing that DC now offline, I think epdrama faces the same fate. Hopefully not, of course.
I feel the need to start downloading some dramas I plan on watching in the near future that are not available on viki now :/.
Manin
July 5, 2013 at 8:25 AM
MeeisLee :
Yeah dramacrazy shutting down was sad. And if epdrama is looking at closing as well? Just hope gooddrama stays alive.. I'm with you though, need to start downloading! (or start step one: how do you download?" )
Aigoo
July 5, 2013 at 8:33 AM
OMG! Is this bad news Friday or something??? I can't take this....I think I need to go home and lie down....
MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 9:33 AM
Manin:
I think there's different ways to download kdramas. In the past I reserved downloading dramas when I wanted to watch them on-the-go when I wouldn't have service or wifi on my phone/ipod. So in that case, sometimes video quality is sacrificed. I use specifically use Firefox in most cases when I'm downloading. I have an add-on that allows me to download the flash video files on websites like gooddrama (the one I use it called Fast Video Downloader, I think, but there's others). Once I've downloaded the flash videos (making sure to give each part of the episode proper titles so I don't get confused), I use zamzar (website) to convert the flash videos to mp4 so theyre playable on my iphone. However, you can skip the last step since you should be able to just play the flash video file by itself on your computer. If the episode is on dailymotion or youtube, I use the website keepvid to just download the mp4 files (it's a lot quicker but since DM and YT have such strict copyright rules, dramas are harder to find on there).
The other way of downloading I'm not super familiar with. That involves downloading the RAW video file and then downloading the subtitle file. Then using a video player that allows you to use subtitle files and the raw video file so they play together. The website WithS2 (subbing squad) has a bit of info on how to do that and some helpful links. On my mac, I play the RAW file in Quicktime and play the subtitles in a separate app called srtViewer. You can find the raw file on a few websites. Try the soompi forums or the website asia torrents. The subtitle files are generally done by fansubbers so based on the drama you'll have to google around for them. If it's on air, it'll take longer than viki does probably because it won't be a trendy drama.
Hope that helps!
opaque
July 5, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Manin - downloading is a headache with older shows, especially when it comes to those originally uploaded on megaupload. Usually you have to find raw videos and softsubs separately - I rarely find hardsubbed videos. Torrents (using uTorrent) or insane searching gives me some. And the rest I just hope stay on streaming sites :/
Amanda
July 5, 2013 at 3:25 PM
I hardly ever download because it's such as hassle, but I've had good luck with Medium Quality dot org the few times I tried it.
(Naturally, Dramafever decided to pick up It Started with a Kiss right after I downloaded and watched the whole series from here.)
Amanda
July 5, 2013 at 3:28 PM
I wish dramabeans would let me delete my last post. I liked It Started with a Kiss and all, but not enough to go to prison for downloading it. =X
Think before you post, Amanda!
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19 jwspazz
July 5, 2013 at 7:04 AM
hello there ! ahh, this is my first time on Open Thread. hopefully you guys are happy during this weekend. :D
so the most anticipating drama around this time is I HEAR YOUR VOICE. truthfully I've not watch this drama yet, but still downloading its new episodes every week. hahaa. this is because I want to keep this drama as my stock during my 2 months holiday. the last drama that I still can't erase from my mind is BRIDAL MASK a.k.a GAKSITAL. this drama give too much impact to me and now I can't find any action and heartbreaking drama like this anymore.
and Joo Won is making his comeback after waste-talent-performance on 7th Grade Civil Servant. hopefully with the we-know-they-are-awesome-cast such as Moon Chae Won and Joo Sang Wook. they can make better result this time.. :)
forgive me because of my pre-school English words. will be improving next time (hopefully). hahaa. :D good luck in whatever you are doing. have a great time and keep i touch with Dramabeans. ;)
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Mystisith
July 5, 2013 at 7:13 AM
Welcome on OT! Marathoning IHYV is probably wise... I'm waiting for Good Doctor too: Totally in the mood for a good medical show with a different flavor.
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ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 7:46 AM
The reason I didn't like gaksital as much as everyone else I think has to do with the story I expected and the story I got. I loved the first few episodes when joo won wasn't gaksital and it was someone else with a great cover id. That storyline grabbed me but later on it became too much about that uninteresting girl and the crazy nail box. I have to say that actor playing shunji was IT for me in that drama. I saw some of his older work, by chance and I was pleased to see he always had it in him.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 8:00 AM
Although I liked Gaksital I can see where you're coming from. For me the thing I wanted more off was the transformation part from being the police officer and turning into Gaksital and what motivated it on a higher level than what we was given.
The one playing Shunji did an amazing job in turning from the nice school teacher and into the crazy evil guy (and knowing that he did that silly mobile commercial makes it even better!). I also think Joo Woon did a good job in portraing Kang To and getting his emotions across. Loved the last scene with the two of them though. So powerful.
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ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 8:36 AM
you are so right! that is it exactly. I think that will never ever be satisfied for a cynic like me. I know we were given an explanation aside from his revenge but I just couldn't buy it. I think it had to do with the cat being out of the bag from the beginning. Sometimes knowing someone is a double spy works, sometimes you can't help but hate them ( soo ae athena for instance.) Yeah that last scene was good. As kang to joo won was fine, as gaksital joo won was fine.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 9:03 AM
Yeah the revenge plot works in the beginning because taking on the mask lets him avenge his mother and all that. But taking up the thread as the hero of the people? I wanted that to be explored more.
I mean he was treated badly by all as a cop, and it's not like we wouldn't know off the injustrice done to Koreans so why now? And what was his feelings? Because it feels a bit forced that it is just to carry on his brother's revenge.
I did like some of how the double spy knowledge was handled though. Those intense moments when both are sitting there wondering how much the other know about their own knowledge. And both walking that edge trying to figure out while not revieling their own cards.
Nadia
July 5, 2013 at 8:44 AM
Believe it or not, I just finished watching Gaksital/Bridal Mask last night. It was my new year's resolution to watch this drama since so many people were raving about it on dramabeans last year.
Like you, I didn't really care for it as much as others did. I am glad that I can now say that I have watched it from beginning to end. It took me 6 - 7 months to finish it, but I finally did!
In my opinion, it had one of the best finale episodes in kdrama land. I enjoyed it more than all the other episodes.
I agree with Manin, that the actor Jin Se-yeon did an amazing job in portraying the transformation of Shunji during the course of the series. Kudos to Joo Woo as well for his portrayal of Kang To.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 9:07 AM
Any faults aside, the two main actors did an amazing job in portraying both the friendships and the feelings of hate and betrayal towards each other.
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ahjummabunny
July 7, 2013 at 5:46 AM
I couldn't remember the actor's name that played shunji when I wrote this but I know he's a park ssi! Specifically Park Ki Woong.
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Hedviglilla
July 5, 2013 at 7:58 AM
Gaksital, how I miss its awesomeness. That drama made me a fan of Joo Won. That uniform. That Gaksitaaaaal shoutings :D
I hope Good Doctor will be good.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 8:11 AM
That uniform was a good thing costume wise. Same with the 30's suit fashion. Very nice looking :p
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20 RockPaperScissors
July 5, 2013 at 7:06 AM
Happy Friday to all of you! I'm leaving this weekend for two weeks in Europe with my family; going to a family reunion in Germany but visiting Dublin, London and Paris first. So I'm not starting any new shows and I'm already dreading the drama withdrawal I'll be going through. I am so disappointed about dramacrazy shutting down, but I will pull a "Scarlet O'Hara" and worry about it another day.
Traveling reminds me of how I got addicted to Kdramas in the first place. Six years ago I was in Seoul at Kyobo bookstore when a drama was filming. I discovered later that a little drama by the name of Coffee Prince had shot a scene there. The rest is history. We knew very little Korean at that time, so we would make up our own dialog and act out parts while watching sageuks back at the hotel.
I hope everyone is having a fun summer, at least those of you in the northern hemisphere, and I will try to keep up with your comments as wifi allows.
Javabeans, any word on the next meetup? I'm thinking we all could use some group therapy.
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Saya
July 5, 2013 at 7:41 AM
Hi RockPaperScissors! Enjoy your travels! If you want a taste of Korea in London, go to a place called New Malden. It's where all the Korean shops, restaurants, etc. are. I love it!
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RockPaperScissors
July 5, 2013 at 12:46 PM
Thanks, will try to squeeze that in.
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ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 7:41 AM
enjoy your trip! I recently took a drama free trip myself. I didn't mind it as much as I thought I would. Which only means the drama I started wasn't that great.
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korfan
July 5, 2013 at 8:08 AM
RockPaperScissors -
Have a wonderful time in Europe!
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21 Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 7:13 AM
Happy Friday!
"I can't wait for the next ep1" watch list:
- I Can Hear Your Voice - this is my new Nine. So far, so great. The crying and tearing up is breaking my heart. Oh and the confused look on Soo ha's face now....just want to hug the kid. ** SPOILER ** I am not too happy with her response to his questions about feelings.
- Cruel City - yes, it took a while but I marathoned and am ready for the next.
- Dating Agency Cyrano - definitely want to see where this is going.
- Gu Am Heo Jun - a good pace and I can't believe we broke ep 75!
Regular "I am watching" list:
- Monstar
- I Summon You Gold - over-the-top facial expressions and all.
- You're the Best Lee Soon Shin - *one more week until this is back-burnered for lack of anything interesting.
- Sword and Flower - I'll give it a few more episodes to work beyond pretty scenes.
- Goddess of Marriage - *there is just something so heavy and depressive about the whole thing. I'll stick it out for this week.
- Goddess of Fire - sticking it out until the leads appears.
Feels like I am missing something... ah well! LOL
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Windsun33
July 5, 2013 at 1:37 PM
Goddess of Fire - I watched the first two episodes, doubt I will go any further with it. I think in the first two episodes it had at least half of the 25 most common k-drama clichés and makjang moments, and the highly exaggerated emoting is just WAY over the top for me. The heroine is cute as a bug, but I can only take so much of the ridiculous over-acting by all the characters, and the Bearded Old Men in Funny Hats scenes look like they might be a fixture in this series, which is a turn-off for me.
Empire of Gold (which also just started) - I am still up in the air about this one after seeing the first two episodes. Ep1 was kind of bleh, but it did seem to pick up a bit in ep2. But I find the timelines a bit confusing. It is still on my watch list, but in a "we will see" status.
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22 Nadia
July 5, 2013 at 7:13 AM
I will miss Dramacrazy.net as well.
It was great to find such a variety of content (old & new), actually subbed, and free of charge!
Limited commercials!!! You could marathon dramas without wasting valuable time (3-5 hours) just to view an episode of a show.
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ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 7:40 AM
what's happening to dramacrazy? I usually use good drama but have dramacrazy as a back up for unsubbed daily dramas that I just want to see how they end.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 7:47 AM
It's shut down. No idea why just the claim of "After a great run, we have decided to shut down DramaCrazy and move on. The drama streaming landscape is ever so changing and it was a fun ride while it lasted"
So theories are out but no one seems to know what acctualy happened.
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23 Rachel
July 5, 2013 at 7:17 AM
Hi everyone! Finished Flower Boy Next Door this week. A cute but somewhat forgettable drama, though Yoon Si Yoon is so freaking adorable I probably couldn't say no to anything he asks for.
Kim Ji Hoon has also earned a newfound fan in me though it's a pity his new show is a less "trendy" drama that I probably won't be watching. Too much drama backlog to clear on my side!
Also starting on That Winter - a 360 turn in drama tone for me heehee.
Also watched The Client this week - amazing performances from the 3 male leads :)
Lastly, I've found a new favorite drink - makgeolli. Yay!
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Nanaki
July 5, 2013 at 7:32 AM
Augh, makgeolli! I discovered the liquor store near my place (near as in walking distance) sells makgeolli. It's terrible - I keep buying it. It's so easy to drink! And tasty! The Korean dude that runs the store recognises me now because I'm one of two Caucasians that buy the Korean booze they sell there--the other one is apparently a middle-aged man who says soju is better than whiskey, and buys two bottles a week.
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ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 7:38 AM
I agree that soju is a bit smoother than whiskey but I'm a makgoli girl. Last summer I was drinking 2 bottles a week. But I stopped after I saw all the artificial sweetener in the one I was buying. Hmm remember that drama where they drank a lot of makgoli? or had a makgoli factory? I can't remember which it is now.
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Nanaki
July 5, 2013 at 7:53 AM
Between the Korean drinks I prefer makgoelli, if only because it doesn't get you as drunk as soju does - that stuff sneaks up on you and then knocks you flat. It's too easy to drink for it's alcohol content! So makgoelli's better. And I just like the taste.
Cinderella's Sister? I seem to recall story's main family owned a makgoelli brewery. And I remember the cast drinking loads of makgoelli in The Woman Who Still Wants To Marry - it's thanks to that show I went and hunted the stuff down. I couldn't take watching them drink it anymore.
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korfan
July 5, 2013 at 7:48 AM
Nanaki -
A brief question regarding makgeolli, because I've never bought it ..... is it chalky? I've seen people shake the bottles sometimes but I don't know if it's to mix any settled contents or not. I've seen commercials and it appears smooth (or perhaps filtered....I don't know). I hope my question makes sense.
Enjoy your makgeolli!
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Nanaki
July 5, 2013 at 7:57 AM
Chalky's a good description, actually. There is quite a bit of sediment and you shake it (gently, 'cause it's carbonated, or at least the two brands I've seen are). It you don't it tastes more watery, and if you do it gives it a slightly fuller, chalkier taste. I believe shaken is the 'normal' way to drink it. JAMES BOND JOKE HERE.
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Nanaki
July 5, 2013 at 8:01 AM
I should add that unshaken it looks like--if you know Pocari, it looks like that, but otherwise really watery milk, and if you shake it up it looks close to low-fat milk but white, not that yellowish colour low-fat milk seems to be.
korfan
July 5, 2013 at 8:03 AM
Thanks for responding, Nanaki!
I'll have to try some one of these days.
Sethe
July 5, 2013 at 8:06 AM
Also, evidently makgeolli is fairly low in calories (as alcohol goes), whereas soju is pretty high-cal. (If these considerations factor into your drinking decisions...)
ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 8:38 AM
not chalky, tried it unsaken prefer it shaken. But I haven't experienced truly good makgoli yet. I have this idea that it is better than I have tasted so far.
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john
July 5, 2013 at 8:52 AM
korfan ~
Milky is how I'd describe it. I actually brewed some a few months ago.
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24 ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 7:36 AM
Just finished Iris2. I liked a lot of it more than the first one, but I think Athena is still my favorite of the 3. I liked the lead in Athena better but I liked the Iris 2 female lead more. I really loved the omani's boy Lee Bum Soo. That being said I wish Jang Hyuk can stop having "glorious deaths" in fact dramas need to stop using that device and the betrayer best friend, adopted son/daughter. I find that the psychology is usually wrong or the execution is too skewed. My favorite version of the betrayer best friend was the Equator man version. Unfortunately that show had way too many things it was trying to do and couldn't. I felt like I was watching a drama censor itself, or try to paraphrase a copied wikipedia article so it won't look like plagiarism. The good news is I'm almost caught up with my dramas. I saw the first episode of mandate of heaven and I didn't like it. I kinda know the story they're telling and I'm not sure I'm interested. I just need to watch the first episode of gu family book and I think I'll be ready to live watch the hong sisters drama.
Anyone watching something good on cable?
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owl
July 5, 2013 at 10:19 AM
No one likes "glorious deaths" more than Jang Hyuk himself. He's so intense, and it suits his personality. He might even write the "gd" ending himself, final out in a huge blasé of fire.
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Shiku
July 6, 2013 at 12:14 AM
Check out Cruel palace: War of the flowers, Monstar, and Cruel City, they are all good.
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ahjummabunny
July 7, 2013 at 5:52 AM
The thing about watching older dramas sometimes is you have a good benchmark for quality. It's like after you've seen the usual suspects you can smell a keyser soze plot a mile away and they are never as good or interesting as the first time. You say those are good and I know not to expect anything different from the last 3 dramas I saw that were exactly like them. I have them on my list., But I'm looking for the drama that is like nothing else I've seen first.
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25 alua
July 5, 2013 at 7:37 AM
I Hear Your Voice Enjoying it as ever.
Monstar Enjoying it.
Itazura na Kiss Good, though I don't find the Nakao-runs-his-dad's-company plot line very convincing at all. I know they are just sticking to the manga, but these bits that we are getting at the moment (also the omiai instigated by the rich princess) are not very interesting to me. Not such a fan of Kotoko simply playing wifey either. Kinchan remains a highlight though.
Sennyu Tantei Tokage Finished – delivered what detective dramas promise to deliver. It's good, but I do think that Matsuda Shota is wasting his talent in series like these. He needs to follow big bro and do films.
Bitter Sweet Home Kyoto Finished. Quite enjoyed that, but not more than that. Was kind of hoping for the okami & ex romance to blossom again, but then this drama was never about romance.
Mayonaka no Panya-san Need to watch the final episode.
New J dramas (missing Soratobu Kouhoushitsu!):
Gekiryuu - Watashi o Oboeteimasuka Good start so far. Very curious how this one will play out. Thrilled to see that Kiritani Kenta is getting a good role (even if he shares the lead with 4 others).
Woman Ohhhh, good so far as well. This one will be an intense, emotional ride. Looking forward to it.
Alice in Wonder City (TW, oldie) – Very watchable, I rather enjoyed some of its characters which felt a little different from most TW dramas (no real love rivalry). I wasn't quite convinced by Alice though, or the whole X-seeds storyline.
Love Around and Just You New TW dramas, nothing special and kind of overacted but not too bad. Just watching them when my brain has checked out. That said, I quite like the female leads in both so far. George Hu's character bores me a little though, Aaron Yan is much better (arrogant jerk of course but you can sense that there's some profound emotional pain hidden deep within).
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 7:45 AM
Would you suggest one over the other (Love Around and Just You)? I've been looking for a TW/C-drama to watch and I might start an on-air in addition to Substitute Princess since it seems like it was worth the ride for Chris.
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 7:59 AM
Hmm. I think the storyline is less interesting in Love Around, George Hu's character bores me (and his family makes me cringe) but there is something very likeable about Annie Chu so far. Just You is more over-acted, but I like both leads – it has lots of comic potential (endless bickering!) but also the emotional trauma of Aaron Yan's character. And Puff Guo's family is awesome (the kind of drama families we need more often – kind of like in Miss Rose, though that drama flatlined baadddly).
Of course, both dramas could play out in ever-predictable, disappointing ways, indeed, there are plenty of cliches already. I guess at the moment I'd recommend Just You over Love Around.
Most of the time I never make it to the end of TW dramas though...
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Lovebug
July 5, 2013 at 8:18 AM
I am watching Just you, and think its pretty cute. Though agree its a tad overacted. The leads are just adorable so can't wait when they start to have feelings for each other!
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 8:59 AM
Yeah, can't wait till they fall for each other.
I very much hope he falls first. He's fallen for her family already, and that's just after one meal without seafood (awesome mom!!!).
MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 8:30 AM
Thanks! I think I'll start on Just You and maybe I'll even check out Love Around a little later. Whenever I watch a TW drama on air, I find that I rarely finish it.
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Aigoo
July 5, 2013 at 8:45 AM
I just started Just You and I like it! It's cute, fluffy and easy on the eyes if that's what you're looking for. It's pretty much what I'm looking for in a t-drama and for some reason I find myself liking the leads. I don't think it's going to win any awards for it's plot but it has all the elements of a fun t-drama that I'm in the mood for these days. I would recommend it if that's also what you're looking for.
Haven't watched Love Around so can't help you there......
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 8:57 AM
I know, there's something about the leads. I love Puff Guo's guts (and she gets even more brownie points because I hated her character in Miss Rose so much that I thought I'd never be able to watch anything else with her).
Aaron Yan's character is the sort I usually can't stand, but his vulnerability is already so obvious that I can't help but feel for him.
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Nadia
July 5, 2013 at 8:52 AM
I recommend Love Around. I am watching and enjoying it!
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Nanaki
July 5, 2013 at 8:09 AM
Mayonaka - this drama drove me nuts. I liked the story (and the food), but I wanted to shoot the scriptwriter. WHAT IS WITH THE DIALOGUE. So clunky. So in-your-face. I felt like it could have been so much better...
I need some J-dramas to watch, any recommendations?
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 8:48 AM
I liked the early episodes of Mayonaka better, I liked the diversity in characters, but some of the episodes were...ughhh. Especially the little kid's mom (let's abandon the kid! not even leave him at an orphanage, but literally abandon. and 3 episodes on: now let's dump him on his father!). And they didn't just give her one episode, but several!
I agree, it could have been much better – basic idea was good.
New J-dramas, or older ones? I have high expectations for Gekiryuu and Woman (just started), I really liked just-finished Soratobu Kouhoushitsu (though it grew on me & and it is super-mellow). Recently watched Rondo (2006) and enjoyed that a lot.
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opaque
July 5, 2013 at 9:47 AM
I just recently re-watched a j-drama called Haken no Hinkaku with Shinohara Ryoko. And fell in love with it all over again. If you don't mind workplace dramas with a bit of romance, it's awesome.
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john
July 5, 2013 at 9:14 AM
alua ~
I see the DramaFever now has It Started With A Kiss. I'm debating to watch it or not.
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 9:22 AM
DramaFever only likes the US. :-(
You should watch it. Best adaptation IMO and love the friendship message that is really strong in this one. Kinchan is a star.
I thought you were watching it already?
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john
July 5, 2013 at 9:36 AM
I've watched the K version and am watching the J version.
I'll probably give the T version a go too.
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hillarytnt
July 11, 2013 at 3:50 AM
I prefer the T version myself. Or rather T versions because I think it had 2 or 3 versions. The kissing scenes in the T version are definitely better than K or J.
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opaque
July 5, 2013 at 9:58 AM
You're watching Just You?! Me too :) I agree with the over-acted part but the hate-to-love transition is always fun to watch. Gonna jump ship when the love rectangle comes to the fore though. I hate angst, especially in tw-dramas.
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 10:40 AM
Maybe we won't get a love rectangle?
We can always hope.... Alice in Wonder City didn't really have one (it had unrequited love and essentially a one night stand that was part drunkenness, part undercover scheme).
Given the storyline of no work romance, we might stand a chance? Unless some evil ex comes to claim Aaron...well, maybe one will, because he definitely has an emotional scar. But let's hope that at that point Aaron has 100% fallen for Puff already and that Puff will be a fierce tigress defending her puppy. It might be bearable then.
It's definitely coming in Love Around (childhood friend that reappears after a gazillion years actually thinks he has rights... I can see his jealous streak from a mile away already now – and that's not even considering the guy that she just broke up with).
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opaque
July 5, 2013 at 11:37 AM
The opening (or ending, can't quite remember) shows a love rectangle but it seems to be stronger towards Puff than Aaron. The thing with traumatized mains is that somehow they still have that one girl they're exceptionally nice to or they do/say things that the main female sees/overhears in the worst way...misunderstandings galore :/
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john
July 6, 2013 at 7:01 AM
I watched a J drama The Tragedy of W on Viki. I liked it.
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26 Sajen
July 5, 2013 at 7:46 AM
I hope the good people at DramaFever are working today so I can watch both episodes of I Hear Your Voice and hopefully Sword and Flower. Yes I realize I could probably watch both elsewhere but last year when DramaFever was getting ready to change their rates and said if you sign up before January 30th I think, you could pay their old rates as long as you keep it active I jumped onboard, so if a show is on DramaFever I prefer to watch it there.
With the closing of DramaCrazy I lost my secondary site people gave suggestions for other sites but most if not all of those seem to be exclusively for Korean dramas, are there any other sites for Taiwanese and Japanese dramas?
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 7:51 AM
Try epdrama dot com!
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Amanda
July 5, 2013 at 9:37 AM
I sort of regret not buying the DramaFever lifetime membership back when they were still offering it. I bet I would have saved money over the long run =X
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KimYoonmi
July 5, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Not going to dramafever. I still don't like their politics. And their translations kinda need work... I keep correcting them and I don't need that.
Try Good drama [dot] net.
Also try ep drama.
You can also try other links as well.
Kshownow also has a bunch of shows.
Dramacrazy.com shut down, I believe because d-addicts got mad at them for stealing subs and then not giving them credit and then running ads in addition, which technically meant it was a copyright violation and also a violation of using the subs which were expressed to not be for profit.
Personally, I wish Dramacrazy hadn't put on all of their raw that it was Japanese, which just ticked me off... Not everything from Asia is Japanese.
Anyway, I saw a petition on d-addicts about Dramacrazy.
The lesson to learn from this: Don't piss off the subbers by taking credit for their work and letting your users think you are subbing the episodes when you aren't.
I also like viki.com. I wish they'd take over from Dramafever instead. Especially since Dramafever can't touch them. I also like crowd sourced translation since the accuracy tends to be high.
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Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 2:40 PM
KimYoonMi,
Question...what can't DF touch Viki?
Thanks!
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 4:12 PM
I think it's probably because Viki is also a legal site now. They obtain licensing rights just like Dramafever does. However, they subtitle in a variety of languages so non-English viewers can enjoy the site too. I've noticed some region restrictions on viki but I don't think it's as bad as America-aimed DF.
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Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 10:26 PM
Thanks for the explanation. I am happy to support Viki. Their subbing is fast on most things I watch and seems to be accurate as far as I can tell. I hope they now have the chance to expand offerings. Maybe I'll lend them a hand, though I have never subbed or segmented a show.
27 MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 7:48 AM
I've been hearing some buzz about Heartless City for a while and I finally have more time to completely indulge in dramas and I've been wondering if I should give in. It sounds like it has been good but any thoughts on the pacing, tone, plot, and where it's headed to give me an idea if it's worth it?
And the same goes for Love in Tokyo. I watched the TW version but dropped the Korean version. For anyone who is watching LIT, how does it compare to the other versions? Or even w/out comparison, is it worth the time? I have yet to ever finish a jdorama sadly :(.
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Lovebug
July 5, 2013 at 8:27 AM
I am really loving Heartless City so I definitley recommend. Beware there are a lot of chracters and politics within in the both the criminal underworld and police side that you will have to keep straight. The first episode does a lot of set up but things really get going when Jung Kyung Ho comes on screen. This my first time watching a kdrama like this as till recently I have not been into melos. The tone is definetley dark and they don't shy away from violence or sex.
Regarding Love in Toyko I also recommend. Its my favorite version so far and I have seen both the Taiwanese and Korean versions. Kotoko's character is the best version of the character I have seen so far as she is portrayed as being very kind but more silly than dumb (like the Taiwanese version) or a doormat (like the korean version). You also see more of him falling for her and various stages and their relationship seems more organic than other versions. I would check it out!
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 8:39 AM
I think I'm going to have to blame you for all the time I'll be spending at home this summer! I'm going to follow your recommendations and start HC and LIT. You addressed my main reason for staying away from LIT and HC. I found the female lead to be so annoying at times in the TW version (it's a wonder why I watched the sequel) and in the K version. With HC, I'm worried I wouldn't be able to follow the politics and all the characters (I hear there's alot) since it's sadly not being recapped which I rely on to help clear up misunderstandings and things I missed.
Thanks :) that will put my current watching list at 8 by next OT:
Monstar, IHYV, Dating Agency Cyrano, HC, Love in Tokyo, Just You, a kdrama classic on my list (Coffee Prince is first on that list), and one of the new premieres.
This is the most dramas I've watched at once!
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junny
July 5, 2013 at 8:51 AM
there are a few of us (myself included) who find the female lead in HC incredibly witless. but others have lapped up the romance. for me, the other stuff like turf wars and complex relationships (not involving the female lead) are more interesting, that's where the dynamism of the drama lies.
the theme song is pretty addictive!
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trixicopper
July 5, 2013 at 10:38 AM
@snow
What you said! Can't stand the female lead, she is dumber than a stump! The romance is for me the least interesting thing in the show. At least at this point it hasn't taken over the whole show. Hopefully that continues. :)
junny
July 5, 2013 at 1:59 PM
@trixiecopper
ha, i hope the romance dies a quick death (even though i know that's not possible, sigh). but i swear, if stupid Soo-min is the cause of Shi-hyun's death, or does something to hurt him terribly, i'll be the first to take a stake to her heart!
opaque
July 5, 2013 at 10:05 AM
That's my current watching list too! Just replace kdrama classic with j-drama classic and new premiere with running man. LOL
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 10:32 AM
I think that means we're drama soulmates, lol!
owl
July 5, 2013 at 11:24 AM
HC - Is everyone police? Other than Soo, pretty much everyone else is undercover. What the hey ~
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opaque
July 5, 2013 at 11:40 AM
Well Safari is ex-police...which is a bit better? And Jin Sook so far doesn't seem to be undercover.
(When Soo mentioned that he should have just become police, I was like, NOOOOO DON'T EVEN JOKE ABOUT IT! lol I didn't think I'd ever be this adverse to bad guys being good guys pretending to be bad guys)
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owl
July 5, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Jin Sook - but she doesn't even care who is or isn't undercover and just keeps doing what she does. Makes me suspicious
Way too many bad/good/fauxbad.
Much rather have bad than fauxbad
junny
July 5, 2013 at 1:30 PM
i have my suspicions about Jin-sook too. i don't like that she still seems to trust Safari after he betrayed Shi-hyun any number of times. as for Soo's joke, i admit, i laughed. hey at this rate, Pusan could be undercover too, maybe that's why Min wants to get rid of him so badly XD
Link
July 5, 2013 at 1:37 PM
Sorry, I just LOVE YOUR USERNAME "On a QIHM High." Queen Inhyun's Man was my favorite drama when it aired and is still my favorite a year later. The romance was so riveting and not one second did I think the writing was was lax. I'm just so glad they didn't pull the reincarnation stuff into QIHM like in Rooftop because that was messed up. The phone call was actually much better in that there were many phone-related connections introduced during the story.
anyways, just had to justify my love and yours. What is your take on the phone-talisman thing?
opaque
July 5, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Link - Haha thanks! I loved the show! And the main OTP becoming a RL couple was icing on the cake :)
When it comes to the ending, I found the phone to be used in the plot for convenience. Which I don't particularly like, but given how much I enjoyed the show otherwise (and how much I wanted them to re-unite), I didn't terribly mind. It could have been weaved into the plot better but I accept its usage. So it's the slightly bitter seed in a seedless orange whose bitterness fades quickly due to the sweetness of the orange.
owl
July 5, 2013 at 5:07 PM
Snow - Pusan is just too dirty. Go down, rat.
trixicopper
July 6, 2013 at 12:03 AM
Are we sure that Soo ISN'T undercover? Everybody else is. I hate to see him being left out. :)
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owl
July 6, 2013 at 11:41 AM
In the end, I don't want Soo to be dispensable, but I fear that's the direction it's going. DocSon cringed when Soo joked about not being police. I don't think Soo is on top of the game enough to be police - just a sscond tier contact person, which brings us back to his dispensability :(
Nadia
July 5, 2013 at 9:04 AM
It is worth checking out Heartless City/Cruel City just to watch the awesome performance of Jung Kyung Ho as Doctor's Son.
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opaque
July 5, 2013 at 10:06 AM
Hear hear. His acting <3 Along with Lee Jong Suk, I'm a happy drama-er. :)
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Nadia
July 5, 2013 at 4:48 PM
Jung Kyung Ho is redefining "leading man/eye candy" with each episode.
It is an exceptional feat/triumph after one episode for viewers to consider the character Ji Hyeong-Min as the invisible man and continuously ask themselves "What is your purpose...Why do you exist?"
After the 1st episode, all you could think about was Doctor's Son!
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owl
July 5, 2013 at 5:44 PM
He's all I can think about too ~
junny
July 5, 2013 at 5:58 PM
lol indeed, Shi-hyun is too compelling for any viewer to resist. i don't mind Thighs however, he hasn't annoyed me enough to question his existence.
the only character whose existence deserves to be questioned is Soo-min. i'm sure even Thighs has asked himself that once or twice!
owl
July 5, 2013 at 6:46 PM
Nope, don't think abt Thighs - too beefy ~
28 Sethe
July 5, 2013 at 7:49 AM
Good morning, everyone, and happy Friday!
First of all, Heartless City/Cruel City may still be one of the best K-dramas ever. (Potential SPOILERS ahead.) I was obviously disappointed not to see another *sizzling* love scene this week, but I thought the development on the Soo-min/Baksa relationship front was appropriate.
I guess, actually, that "development" would be about how I would sum up this week's episodes -- plot development (in that we learned -- I thought -- a lot more about how some of the various characters are connected and about what they, at least, think they are doing and why they are doing it) and character development (in that several of the key characters were allowed to reveal a little more humanity, or a little more vulnerability). So... I continue to be in love :)
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shukmeister
July 5, 2013 at 9:14 AM
Hey Sethe! [frantic waving]
How are you doing, chingu? Long time no see in OT-land.
And, yes, CCity is by far taking up most of my drama-watching time, although I'm able to squeeze in Monstar, IHYV, and a couple of other asian ones.
Welcome back!
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Sethe
July 5, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Hey Shuk! So glad to see you/hear from you!
Yeah, I was away from the K-drama world for a long time (not really sure why). I've ventured back (sort of sporadically) on OT the last few weeks, and I think I saw you had some surgery? I hope everything went well :)
Things are very up in the air in my life... basically, I need to find a new job, but I've done a lot of different things in the past, so I'm (debatably) qualified for a lot of quite different career paths, and I can't decide what direction I want to move in now...
Heartless City is certainly my obsession at the moment (and yes, it's mostly due to Baksa Adeul, but I do think it's a gripping story with gorgeous cinematography and tonally appropriate music and all that), and I'm thoroughly loving your squeecaps! (Thanks! :) )
I hope all is well with you!
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29 Hedviglilla
July 5, 2013 at 7:53 AM
Hi Beanes! Happy Friday and a Goooood Weekend! :D
So much to talk about this time. Sword and Flower: Watchin the first episode was like 'Oh, how beautiful scene, such colors' but wtf. Seriously, wtf about anything else. Even after ep 2 I can't put this drama anywhere. Maybe they needs 2-4 eps to be epic as promised?
Aaaand any Danish here? I'm moving next month to Denmark to study there for 3,5 years. Both sad and excited. Only 1 month at home.... but new places, faces and my bigest and the most secret hope is that maybe I'll have a Korean classmate. Little chance, but still :)
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30 pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
July 5, 2013 at 7:55 AM
First things first - R.I.P. Dramacrazy, you will be sorely missed (like mysoju earlier). I remember when manga sites started going down three years ago, I honestly hope this is not the kdrama version of that.
I have caught up on exactly nothing this week (that is for the weekend, non?)but I did watch episode 1 of Sword and Flower, and I was not expecting it to be so...fusion-y. I like the Goguryeo setting and costumes better than the normal Joseon-era ones, and Kim Ok-bin looks GORGEOUS.
As for what is next on the list...
I Hear Your Voice - I don't know how this show manages to make me want to squee and sob, often within minutes of each other or simultaneously, but whatever they're on, I hope it continues.
Cruel City - No one better have called dibs on Jung Kyung-ho yet, because I have now declared him MY PRECIOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS and want to see more of his stony eyes and perfect biceps on my screen. I haven't yet watched episode 11, but for everyone who's watched episode 10 (I pointed this out at Shuk's too) - do note the absence of the pink bra (the one she's wearing when she's on top of him/he's on top of her) in the scene when he leaves the room! Too bad that slip stayed on too, though.
Monstar - Episode 7 was actually the strongest yet, and that was because it stuffed all the past angst away and let the kids (especially Nana) have their moment. I cannot be the only one who nearly busted a gut laughing at everyone conspiring to trap the poor Vice Principal using cars and excuses, or the full-on fight and its hilarious lead-in involving everyone chasing after everyone else.
Also I'm really feeling Sun-woo/Nana at the moment. There was definitely a moment of minor swoon for me when she ran out the door mid-fight and straight into his arms....
Cyrano Dating Agency - I keep saying this, but I'm surprised by how much I've come to like Min-young. Sooyoung's not a perfect actress by any means, but she makes me like a character who, on paper, could be really annoying - and the last time that happened to me was with Jang Geun-seuk and Park Shin-hye in You're Beautiful. Plus, I like confession time!
Random pogo musing of the week: has anyone else noticed those bright-but-muted matte lip tints the heroines of kdramas keep doing? Like Min-young in Cyrano (pink), Se-yi in Monstar (kind of...orange?), Chung-jo in the early episodes of the late, unlamented GFB (again, pink), and more recently, Mu-young in Sword and Flower (pink again!). And way back when, Han Je-hee in Nice Guy (red). It's like it's brightest in the centre and fades out towards the edges, and looks really, REALLY pretty.
(I may be back later with a note on worldbuilding and establishing rules for your fantasy dramas so endings are not pulled out of the writer's posterior, but it may be much later)
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 8:26 AM
In regards to your "random pogo musing of the week," I've also noticed that! Actually, I recently watched a Michelle Phan (popular make up artist on YT) make up tutorial where she demonstrates how to get that effect. It's concealer or foundation on the outer parts of your lips and then the lip color is applied in the center and blended outwards. It gives the effect of smaller looking lips.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
July 5, 2013 at 9:24 AM
I've tried the look myself, without the foundation/concealer part (I own none) and it looks pretty either way - very much like I had most of my lipstick kissed off, only less messily than actual kissing :)
Or more accurately, like it wore off really nicely - something a good-quality lipstick should be able to do well.
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 8:53 AM
pogo, I think we might have to start preparing ourselves. DC is looking a lot like the canary in the coal mine right now. Though I will say that it looks less grim for kdrama fans as jdrama fans, because at least kdrama fans have viki (and the Site Which Shall Not Be Named).
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
July 5, 2013 at 9:27 AM
I really, REALLY hope not, because I don't get access to viki or Kdrama-watchers' Voldemort aka Site Which Must Not Be Named.
I don't like to download or torrent ( too slow, plus a show has to be really special before I consider actually giving it space on my hard disk, the last one that made the grade was Arang and the Magistrate) so streaming is my best option and now I live in fear that it will go :(
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 9:45 AM
Oh no pogo! I momentarily forgot that viki isn't accessible everywhere. D: Time to expand that audience!
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Hairpin
July 5, 2013 at 12:47 PM
Noooooo. I wanted to call dibs on Jung Kyung-ho. Well... as long as you're okay with me calling him oppa while you call him your precious, I think we'll get along swimmingly! He's an amazing actor. I recently watched Gangster High and just... I think I died a little inside at the end. And I've been using Smile, You to prevent me from drowning in "Well, Baksa is probably going to die at the end of this" moodiness.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
July 6, 2013 at 3:40 AM
oh, I have no problems with that arrangement ;)
Baksa just seems so doomed, but I'm not distressed about that when it's so easy to get swept away by how amazing he is and JKH working that role like I've never seen him before.
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owl
July 5, 2013 at 1:50 PM
I have a Seyi girlcrush on her lips and hair. I don't now much about special effects makeup, but surely the actresses you mentioned have plumped (lower) lips for effect?
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
July 6, 2013 at 4:00 AM
Her lips and hair are amazing, really. And I do suppose that look needs a slightly full lower lip for the effect, though Sooyoung and Ha Yeon-soo pull it off with average-sized mouths too.
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31 Jambo
July 5, 2013 at 8:02 AM
Happy Friday, everyone! Survived having family over for the 4th of July celebration. So, I'm happy and very relieved with that. While entertaining family, I kept thinking "the subs for IHYV should be up by now at Viki." Couldn't really watch, so was trying to sneak-read at Dramabeans. Making do with ep9, but barely got to read even that. Hopefully, I can squeeze in some time to watch ep 10, but there's a wedding tomorrow and I still don't have a dress! Oh, the quandary of a k-drama addict! How to make time!
Have a great weekend!
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32 zakin89
July 5, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Happy Friday :)
It was a week of mixed feelings...
Monstar: We finally see our band perform together and it was AWESOME! Looking forward to seeing who wins the thing and how the relationships between the characters are going to develop/getting fixed
NSP: WTF? I have never seen a drama with so little concept^^ Or did that drama even have one? I seriously don't know why I stuck with it to the end but I did.
YTBLSS: I really hope that we get more romance between LSS and JH because that's the only thing that keeps me invested.... I don't really care about anyone anymore but those two....Sad but true
DAC: The case was not spectacular but served its purpose and I like that we now have the confession of MY.
IHYV: is gonna be my end^^ I simply love it :)
Sword and Flower: Still have to watch ep 2. I am not completely on board yet... The next few episodes will decide if I stay with the drama or not.
Queen's Classroom: Episode 8 was great (the others were too)! And my eyes were definitely a bit moist :D I still think that teacher Ma's methods are questionable but I love the kids and how they decided to forgive Na Ri. The video message from the kids to Na Ri was really touching and I loved that the kids admitted that tehwy were at fault too.
And I can't say how glad I am that we finally get to Seo Hyun and her story! I am convinced that Ha Na, Bo Mi and Dong Goo are going to be the ones to get through to Seo Hyun but it'll be tough. I am just glad that we finally see some more of Kim Sae Ron's acting because I really like her and up to now she was kind of tossed aside.
I haven't been able to watch the first episodes of Goddess of Fire but I will catch up with those in the next few days and then I decide if it stays or gets dropped^^
As for variety:
WGM: I am watching for the Jinwoon-Junhee couple but I love the episodes were all the couples are together :D
RM: Another funny episode which has made me curious about the whole blobbing thing (and may I say I just love Ji Hyo and her happy face when she gets tossed in the air! She truly is the Ace =) )^^
BFF: I finally caught up with some episodes (I skipped the first ones abroad because there was so much second hand embarrassment^^) and while it is nothing special I do enjoy the show. I liked the episodes with Lee Hyori although it felt more like watching Family Outing at one point which makes me miss that show!)
The diving episodes were great to watch and I have so much respect for all of them! I myself don't really dare to jump from 3m so I feel with them when standing on those platforms. I can't even imagine jumping off 5m so kudos to the ones who dared to jump!
Looking forward to the competition against the idols (well mostly because Lee Joon is going to be there^^) :)
ONVS: I finally started watching Our neighbourhood variety sports and I guess I'll be continuing (just watched one episode). Well what can I say...give me variety mixed with sports and I am all in^^ And I have kind of adapted to Kang Ho Dong^^ I am so used to Yoo Jae Suk and his style that I had some trouble with Ho Dong at first (so shouty) but I can live with that by now^^
Happy Together: Just watching when there are guests I really want to see. So I watched the episode with Lee Joon and I was really surprised about his thinking. He is known for being stingy but I think with what he said on the show he proved that he is very thoughtful when it comes to money and ho he spends it (which makes me love him even more^^).
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ahjummabunny
July 5, 2013 at 8:43 AM
Give dramas a rest and date your heart out! It's nice to get back to reality before drama prince charmings spoil you.
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zakin89
July 5, 2013 at 8:57 AM
Well after some serious heart break not too long ago I prefer the drama prince charmings for now^^
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33 Lovebug
July 5, 2013 at 8:10 AM
Happy Friday! For those stateside hope everyone had a nice 4th of July! I should have spent the day catching up on all the dramas I am behind on but instead i spent it attempting to barbeque (charcoal) for the first time. It wasn't a success unfortunatley... My friend and I did watch the movie The thieves which I had been wanting to watch for some time. It was enjoyable but a little underwhelming in light of the monster hit I knew it was in Korea.
I am really behind on dramas these days partly because I have started dating. Its been awhile since I have really dated and I seriously forgot how much time it takes. All the phone and text conversations, going out on the actual dates not to mention getting ready for the dates, is it bad that to a degree I think this is time i could be watching dramas! lol Ha i guess i don't think about that in the moment, it more like when I realize its 11:30pm on Thursday night and I have 6 hours of drama watching if I want to be current for Friday's Open thread!
Needless to say i am not current so I will just go on a rant about the most WTF drama and finale I have ever watched (Finally beats Love Forward as most WTF drama!) in nearly three years of drama watching. Ofcourse I am talking about Nail Shop Paris. Now I know this type of show does not call for any kind of analysis and is just to be enjoyed mindlessly however I just can't let it go that easily.
So let me get this straight - Bunny is in fact the half gumiho/half human child of the owner of the nail shop who had to abandon Bunny because she feared she would be discovered due to her lack of aging when her plan to become human after marrying Bunny's dad didn't work. She sets up the nail shop that hires only hot men and finds men who are Helpers/hunters(?) so that if Bunny falls in love with them she might become human. She somehow knew that bunny would infiltrate the Nail shop pretending to be a boy, so that she could get inspiration for her online novel about Gumihos and Hunters. In the end thought Bunny (rightfully) chooses Kay and Alex goes to the US to study (nail art?) 6 years later they have a kid who is obviously a gumiho. Which means that bunny is not human. But its ok because guess what Alex is half gumiho as well and will always be by her side. I think the phrase that best encompasses that finale and show as a whole is "That shit cray!! Sigh there were so many things that I didn't mention like Alex inexplicably falling in love with Bunny after finding out she was really girl (or more puzzling that Alex had no idea she was female despite being able to diagnose cancer by looking at someone one finger nails). There were also the customer cases of the week which had nothing to do with the Gumiho plot that took up the whole last episode. Sigh i am going to end there as I know i have written too much about this show that really makes no damn sense. I would have loved to be in the writers room when they were coming up with the script though..
Anyway looking forward to catching up with Heartless City(SO FREAKING GOOD) and ICHYV this weekend.
Anyone watching any of the new dramas? Whats worth checking out.
Also random last question why when you tell someone you have addiction to Korean dramas and only really listen to Kpop do they immediatley ask you if you basically have asian fetish? Tips for how to better break the news of the Kdrama and Kpop addictions to your dates would be appreciated!
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 8:16 AM
Oh wow! I droped Nail Shop in the first episode, and reading your summary I can only go WTF? Just what?
Uhm, tips for breaking it: uhm.. I've never been asked if I have an asian fetish. When it gets brought up I just say that I like them, and that's about that. You could always use the "guilty pleasure" excuse I suppose, but it shouldn't be a problem if you just explain that you like them, and why?
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 8:17 AM
Congratulation on the new Romance btw! May you have happiness and suffer no crazy ex's or noble idiocy ala dramaland ;)
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Lovebug
July 5, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Ha thanks! Hoping I get to experience the other cliches (Piggy back rides, getting my seatbelt fastened for me, kisses in the rain, a abundance of namebrand/fashionable clothes and accessories that magically appear in my closet, etc).
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 3:46 PM
Haha those cliches would be nice indeed to experience! I'll just have to find a guy first :p (but seriously, I feel like I'm permanently stuck in the cliche role as "the friend"; though I suppose there could be worse places to be stuck..)
MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 8:52 AM
Woah, woah. I had no idea Nail Shop Paris was full of so much... stuff. I think I'll just look up the nail designs online instead of putting myself through that!
I've always felt a bit of judgement whenever I mention that I watch Asian dramas and listen to Asian music (mostly kpop, in fact my music library is probably 80% non-English) whenever it comes up. I've been asked if I've was obsessed along with the fetish thing. As a result, I generally add that I also like to enjoy other foreign media (which is true, but not nearly as much as the amount of kdramas and kpop I indulge in). I've come to realize that people who make quick (and offensive) judgements based on that are missing out on the other positives like being interested in other cultures than your own and exposure to such things is often times a reflection of being open minded. Thus, those people aren't worth my time or your time. I think you should just say it as you would describe any other hobby or interest. I'm weary about calling it a 'guilty pleasure' when there shouldn't be anything to be guilty about!
And congrats on the new dating life! I'll continue to live through others for the time being, haha :).
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Lovebug
July 5, 2013 at 9:52 AM
The nail design were nothing to write home about (In fact a lot of them were really grotesque in my opinion, lol).
Its been a interesting experience regarding disclosing my k-culture love. I think becoming a drama fan in the first place was a very freeing thing because it is so random and different than most people that you are kind of forced to own it. My attitude especially for the last year is to make no apologies for it because i like so it doesn't matter if people don't get it.
However regarding dating it seems a bit harder to do that. I have tried to maintain the posture of this is what I like and it is what it is. But at the same time it hard to not be aware or conscious of people you might be interested in thinking you are weird. I haven't had any real issues arise from it as i am still in very early stages. But its just a different experience...
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owl
July 5, 2013 at 5:40 PM
I still maintain there were pieces of this NSP that were mistakenly cut and left on the editing floor - and no one checked it out before it aired.
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34 Sethe
July 5, 2013 at 8:24 AM
Kind of a random question... is there anyone around here from Saudi Arabia, or anyone with experience living or working in Saudi Arabia? I'm sort of considering trying to get a teaching job there, and would love to hear anybody's perspective on what it's really like for a Western female there.
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35 Paul
July 5, 2013 at 8:30 AM
Wondered whether any of you had started watching She Is Wow on tvN. Talk about a series with a twist in every episode. Quite worth the watch.
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owl
July 5, 2013 at 8:41 AM
I am up to ep 10- it's odd, but the theme that appearances trump all is carried out to the extreme and it's done well and all within the realm of believability. It's not going to be up there with my all-time favorites, but I'm loving Jin Young in it ~
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36 DayDreamer
July 5, 2013 at 8:46 AM
Hello Beanies! It's been a while. My vacation plans had been a jumbled mess so it was a slow and arduous task of trying to play catch up with dramas. But catch up I surely did. The details are as follows:
1. Heartless City: watched until episode 9 when I couldn't take the stupidity and bad writing anymore. Actually, what really and finally put me off was hottie Baksa Adeul falling in love with the heroine without apparent reason when all he did was stare at her. Not enough a reason to fall in love in my books. Then, all the good guys (basically the cops except Baksa) irritate me to no end and the heroine is blegh in acting and character. I'm just going to read the SqueeCaps instead since they're much more time-saving and interesting (thanks to the ladies who write them).
2. I Hear Your Voice: I wasn't going to watch this but when you have Girlfriday raving about the show in the beginning of every recap, then you just have to put your blegh feelings where noona romances are concerned and attempt watching. Gotta say, I fell in love super hard and I am actually rooting for Soo Ha and Hye-sung. It's also funny how this show has three actors (the heroine, the dorky lawyer, and the villain) who had played roles in which I absolutely hated them as characters, lol. So it was like a whoah moment watching them all be amazing within the first two episodes.
3. Monstar: watched about 3 episodes and quit it. Just not my type of drama.
4. Dating Agency Cyrano: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. This drama makes me want to fall in love even if it's orchestrated by an agency. Next episode's precap/preview has me squeeing in excitement. I can't wait for this newest mission between the main leads. Really hoping for Byung-hoon and Min-young to get together.
5. 1N2D: Had quit this long back and I can understand JB's and GF's reasons for no longer recapping this. Nonetheless, it was a good experience reading the recaps.
6. Scandal: started watching this. Ep 1 was boring and Ep 2 picked up some of the action. I don't know where this story is going to go but I'm watching for Park Sang-min and Kim Jae-won until it becomes utterly unbearable. Also, super glad to see the heroine no longer sporting that mushroom bowl cut.
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37 MariD
July 5, 2013 at 8:52 AM
Hit and run post. Hi to all!! Hope all is well!
I'm still watching and in love with..
1. Heartless City (cruel city) Baska & cutie Soo 4ever!
2. IHYV please writers stop making My baby Soo-Ha suffer, and bring him back to normal. Oh and the bastard is not dead!
3. Monstar.. I just love this show.
Lastly I recently saw "a crazy little thing called love" and I died, its soo cute!!! I want more!!!
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38 Rach ^^
July 5, 2013 at 8:55 AM
I want my own Shin Jun Ho. Give me one now!
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39 hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 9:05 AM
Okay, Beanies, QUESTION TIME!
I hope someone can help me out with this because it has been bugging me all week. Sometime last summer, I came across a blog I can't remember the name of where the blogger had written this pretty awesome multi-part analysis of You're Beautiful, specifically defending Mi-nyu as a heroine. I remember enjoying reading the whole thing, but for some reason I don't seem to have it bookmarked, and I usually bookmark reviews I really like. Google searches have not availed me in my quest. I think the same blogger also wrote a defense of Oh Mok-dan in Gaksital, but I don't think I read it at the time because I hadn't watched Gaksital yet and didn't want to be spoiled. I think. If anyone has come across these posts and knows where they came from, can you point me in the right direction? You will be forever appreciated and many kdrama blessings will reign down upon you. :)
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 9:45 AM
I hope you find that site! Sorry I can't help but I'm hoping someone else can so i can check it out too! Sounds super interesting.
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Thanks MeeisLee! I hope someone is familiar with the blog. This is really bothering me! I was getting ready to compile a list of my favorite reviews. Now that I am trying my hand at reviewing, I wanted to have some examples around me to use as inspiration!
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 10:57 AM
In drama news...I have finally finished Gokusen (all three seasons, two specials, and the movie). Unsurprisingly, season one remained my favorite. I was really happy about all the cameos in the movie though. This now opens up room to start a new jdrama, and with all the recommendations I have been getting over the past few months, I don't think I will have a problem finding one. I have lots of ideas. :)
As for kdramas, I just started watching Life is Beautiful this week. I had promised myself that I would only watch one long-running family drama at a time (and I was already watching Ojakgyo Brothers), but I just couldn't wait. I really like having that slice-of-life break from all the other dramas. Heard many good things about this one and looking forward to watching how it plays out (plus, it's set on Jeju, so hopefully that means we'll get some good scenery when the characters are out and about).
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 3:49 PM
Gokusen <3 found memories about that show, movies specials and all seasons included. Though yes I did like the first one better I think, though also liked the second one. Felt that the movie was better than the third season, although nicely tied in (still wish Shin would have made an appearance in it though..)
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 3:56 PM
I admit, I wanted Shin to cameo as well. They had several of his classmates show up, it was only fair! ;)
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 4:31 PM
I know! Plus a side of me wanted his hinted interest in her to get a reprisal. Just cause it would be funny :p
whimsyful
July 5, 2013 at 11:16 AM
I think I saw something like that on tumblr, actually. Someone posted a list of stuff about kdrama heroines and one of the links was a defense of Mok-dan and the same writer also wrote a series of posts about Mi-neo of You're Beautiful. So you should try looking there!
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 12:42 PM
Thankyouthankyouthankyou whimsyful! Your suggestion to check tumblr totally jogged my memory and I was able to find the post I was looking for! Turns out I DID have it buried in my bookmarks, but it just wasn't listed under the title I was expecting so I got confused. I feel so relieved right now. :P
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hellothere
July 5, 2013 at 2:42 PM
Would you mind pointing me in the direction of that post? I'd love to read it. :)
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 3:18 PM
Absolutely! The collection of posts is over here: http://formerlyroxy.tumblr.com/tagged/women-lovefest
Saya
July 5, 2013 at 3:16 PM
Please share the link! I'm really curious now, and I love YB!
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40 KimYoonmi
July 5, 2013 at 9:06 AM
Been working my butt off recently. O.o;
I finally got my 50th rejection for stories. I need to get stronger so I can send more per year. The only issue I have is that the magazines only allow you to send one at a time. Or I'd send it to all of them at once. Making it faster.
I'm also trying to brush up on my math. Particularly College Algebra. =P Arithmetic was never my strong suit since I kind of have trouble reading numbers and remembering the order of numbers. (Math is also the reason I scored lower on my IQ test. If not for that, I'd have scored higher.) Any suggestions?
Also taking a class on the side. I wonder, though if I should have gone for the 70 an hour (US) job instead. I keep thinking that. (Part Time, so it's more like 35 total).
***
Samgyeopsal phrases
Mostly because I'm craving some and no one will go with me. (My cousins promised me last December... and it hasn't happened.) TT
여기 불판 갈아주세요.
Yeo-gi pul-p'an ga-ra-ju-seh-yo
Please change the grill.
_food name_ juseyo.
Example: Mul==water
Kimbap=kimbap.
Please bring me some water
물 좀 주세요.
Mul chom juseyo
Don't make it spicy
맵지 않게 해주세요
Maepchi ahngae haechusaeyo
Don't make it too salty, please
짜지않게해주세요
ja-ji an-gae hae-ju-se-yo
Please bring me the check
여기 계산서 좀 가져오세요.
Yogi kyesanso chom kajuseyo
***
Also working on my drama script. Jebal Chaebeol. I have more sympathy for the writers now.
So far I've learned:
Plotting is harder than I thought in a script. Things go faster than I thought they would. Pacing is difficult in a script as well. I've written scripts before, but I didn't really have to pace it over a long period of time, so writing three acts wasn't so bad. I think I have a bad sense of pacing.
This makes me think that this explains the worse scripts of the last few years--guessing at pacing and not running out of material is harder than I thought--without having experience how to do it.
Book writing is easier since there isn't a time clock to punch. And you don't have to pay attention to the three act structure. (Which is extended in Korean dramas. Technically it's ~90 minutes spread with a 3 act structure with a break in the middle of the second act.)
I also learned that Daniel Henney is an awesome person who slayed me with his real life talk of the love of dogs, traveling and family. (I'm researching the actors I put into the script) I also like his moral convictions~ It's nice when someone that hawt has the morals to match. It's never the face that gets to me, it's always the personality.
***
New Dramas.
Cyrano is still back burner. Still, the woman needs a talent.
I Hear Your Voice. Mother was awesome. NOOO. I actually like the use of amnesia for once and the switch. At this point it's obvious, though whose going to end up with who.
I'm not watching Goddess of Marriage. It was dull. I mean I liked the plane scene and that was about it.
Goddess of Fire. I'm going to watch up until the makjang.
Empire of Gold. Not watching. I don't like this genre in Korean dramas.
Waiting for: Heirs and Master of the Sun.
I'm expecting this from Master of the Sun: More quieter moments like in Big. Better, rounder characters. More situational comedy than the ones before Big. The theming will most likely center around Muism (done properly since they are that type), and Life and Death (which they touched on in My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, but never really explored. Best guess: They probably will pull in some dark humor which they've been playing with in Hong Gil Dong. The tone might go towards horror, more like Chilling Romance type... I fully expect it not to be a roller coaster like Greatest Love. More like Haunted House, House of Mirrors as a best guess. And of course Meta because they have a lot to pull from--movies, dramas, etc. Arang, for example. I think they might also play more with the pacing as well. (Not nailing it so much as matching it with the tone). I'm also thinking that they want to try their hand at nailing subtle along with the pacing as well. They've been playing with it for a while and I get the feeling that they aren't satisfied yet with it. They've been dropping it in since Hong Gil Dong here and there, but the pacing has mostly been eating it alive. I think they also want to try "scary" along with the funny which is something I would want to try going off of My Girlfriend is a Gumiho--they never really got there.
Some of that will definitely make Javabeans and girlfriday upset at them. They've never been huge fans of the subtle literary. See complaints about KES and not getting it (summary of their words). But the Hong Sisters have been heading towards wanting to do some of that, as evidenced by how much fiction they do consume from the Meta. They probably will not like the sacrifice everything to the theme too. (I've observed that from previous dramas).
What I enjoy about the Hong Sisters is that each drama they do they try to address weaknesses they had from previous ones.
BTW: Big's theme was maturity. It explains everything.
KES I'm going to thoroughly enjoy since she always writes subtle and does it gently. She never goes for the amusement park ride and you have to pay attention to get all of it. The down side is that you need the mood to do so. But as a fan of Slice of Life which demands similar, I'm willing to go for that. She also does unexpected, though in a different way. I think she has a lot of what the Hong Sisters wish they had a bit more of or could write. (I can understand that.)
***
Game
Name all of the good mothers and grandmothers of Korean dramas and why you like them. This will defeat the LSS mothers. =P Also overturn the idea that it's the majority. (It's more mother in laws, isn't it? May as well throw those in too.)
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KimYoonmi
July 5, 2013 at 9:11 AM
Sword and flower: All the pretty in the world can't make up for the lack of plot and my boredom towards it. I never follow pretty. I follow story, and this seems to have a lack of one.
BTW, I told you so on Gu Family Book. I quit early on since I detected a writer who didn't have a good handle on things. I have a talent for figuring it out early on. =P I predict plot outcomes.
WTF Paris actually got more WTF? Haha. I guess the story about the Mudang and the whole sucking out energy will go down as one of the worst episodes ever in Korean history. (individual)
The other dramas I finished recently I also enjoyed.
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Nadia
July 5, 2013 at 9:41 AM
In IHYV, Will Jang Hye Sung choose Park Soo Ha or Cha Kwan Woo?
One of the posters for the show has her at the aquarium holding closely walking in the same direction as Cha Kwan Woo but looking in the direction of Park Soo Ha.
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KimYoonmi
July 5, 2013 at 9:53 AM
It's easy. Look at the cast list. Cast lists don't lie. there are two wikis who are very strict on the cast listings. So that should help.
Cast list order spoils it all.
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DayDreamer
July 5, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Ha! I also use the same indicator to find out the pairings even though I also doubt them at the same time.
alua
July 5, 2013 at 10:49 AM
Ha, I just checked the three dramas that I know were ambiguous / had switches (Tsuki no Koibito, Dream High and Last Cinderella) and you're spot on.
hillarytnt
July 11, 2013 at 4:21 AM
POSSIBLE SPOILER ...
I did not realize that LJS was lead ... works for me. I have been holding off because I don't want my heart broken in end. So now I can watch the last 3 episodes ... I have been reading recaps only.
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
July 5, 2013 at 10:12 AM
BTW, I told you so on Gu Family Book.
And you were right - the cracks were showing as early as episode 1, with that cheesy flashback before poor Dam's suicide, but the worldbuilding flaws (which play into the ending, too) were REALLY apparent by the time the show came around to Lee Seung-gi.
Basically, wen you have a fantasy world, it's a good idea to establish, or slowly reveal, rules about it. Queen In0hyun's Man and Arang and the Magistrate are two dramas that I felt did that really well - they might have come to their endings by 'cheats' but at least their cheats (reincarnation, time travel) were things that were addressed in the story BEFORE the ending, and explained by characters who learn/come by their knowledge in a way that makes sense.
GFB on the other hand, it felt like that bloody monk was just making it all up as he went along (he knows more about gumihos than the dude who's actually been a gumiho for a thousand years! He can tell some random chick on the street whining about her love life to avoid peach trees at night! He can tell she's going to die if she falls in love......a danger which is never even hinted at until the very end, in tone or content, which basically makes the 'prophecy' seem like no big deal at all...and oh yeah, he knows so much about gumiho blood healing that he can confidently tell our hero you can only do it once), .............all this while no one has any idea why this old dude basically makes the rules. Is he a god? A gumiho expert? The dude who made up all the magic? It's really annoying to have the monk acting like Yoda, because even Yoda's knowledge was explainable by the fact that he was, you know, a Jedi. A Jedi master, at that.
And let's not even mention the fact that no one even brings up reincarnation until that clusterfrak ending. If you're going to use a deus ex machina, have it show up in your story before, for heaven's sake!
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DayDreamer
July 5, 2013 at 10:04 AM
Kim Yoonmi sshi! Hi! How have you been? How come Cyrano is on the back burner? I actually liked it contrary to my expectations. It's also my first in the Oh Boy series.
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KimYoonmi
July 5, 2013 at 10:15 AM
More of my feminist leanings. She doesn't actually contribute anything to the agency beyond that she's a girl.
I went over it in quite a bit of detail in previous posts.
Summed up: The one time she had some agency with the in agency, Seo Il Rok still had to help her out. I didn't find that sweet at all. And the ones where she was doing it on her own, was short-lived.
It's not that I mind the light hearted... it's that the character has no weight. If she has no talent, then it makes the romance look unstable leading to a giant plot hole.
Min Yeong's virtue in the story is that she believes in romance while the male lead does not. That's OK. But then it doesn't really contribute to what she does in the agency. She's not the first to jump on to tell people to not give up. She's not the first to state that she thinks they will last. She's not the one that argues Seo Il Rok down that the scheme won't work. In another words, she hasn't proved any of that really through her own actions. And her virtue of being able to listen isn't implemented nor does it affect any plot, because Seo Il Rok takes that from her too. Ditzy is fine. But she can also stumble towards the correct answer in a different way from her male counterparts AND occasionally be right over her male counterparts without any help.
It's the same complaint I had about the other Min Yeong in All about my Romance. She only liked him because she pitied him. What happens when that pity stops? Divorce? Pity isn't a stable love either. If someone said they loved me because they pitied me, that's time to dump them. That's not a good romance.
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 10:23 AM
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's you!!! So happy to see you here! Was so worried. Glad to have you back.
Also awaiting Heirs. Forgot what Masters of the Sun is about..so will see.
I wonder what's the problem with your story getting accepted. 50 rejections is hard, though. Any other stories you've been subbing or only that one you mentioned last time? Email me your story if you wish and I'll look over it.
SCIFIWRITIR (AT) GMAIL.COM is my public email.
One of the good things to do to get published is to aim for themed anthologies. In that way, you know kinda what they are aiming for.
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KimYoonmi
July 5, 2013 at 11:31 AM
Thanks. I've been submitting a lot of different stories. So that's cumulative of all of the rejections I've gotten so far.
I'm aiming for 100 at least... It's more celebrating that I got rejected than being down for it. No answer is worse. Gotta keep trying, especially since I tend to write stories with PoCs and women, I know my rejection rate will be higher. (I also like borrowing story conventions from other countries when I set the story in those other countries, which always gets me into trouble. I was told that it was "wrong", etc.)
I'm shooting for semi-pro and pro mags mostly. I want the benchmark for myself.
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Liang
July 5, 2013 at 11:43 AM
regarding algebra, maybe you already know about it, but just in case - try visualizing algebra at udacity https://www.udacity.com/course/ma006
it's essentially an intermediate remedial algebra class, and while the description can be off-putting, i really, really recommend it. its methodology is incredible, it subtly builds up and changes the way you think about math and math problems. i think it would be especially good for you, since it emphasizes the visualizing. it made me solve math problems for fun which i never thought could happen.
they also offer a college algebra course, but from the little i've seen it's not half as fun as visualizing algebra, and a short intro algebra review. udacity is awesome because unlike edx and coursera it allows you to do everything at your own pace.
if you're interested in logic and mathematical thinking you may try intro to mathematical thinking at coursera when it's offered again (you can find the videos on torrent sites too, and watch it at your own pace). i haven't gone through it yet, but apparently there are people who started liking math and numbers after taking it because it showed them what math is really about (logic).
btw try reading an article called Lockhart's lament. It might change how you view math :)
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KimYoonmi
July 5, 2013 at 1:33 PM
Thanks.
I have more trouble with the numbers than the theory of math.
I tend to suck at memorization, arithmetic and numbers.
I can do the math theory stuff, though, quickly. When I got to Sin and Cosin in High School, I got it more quickly than my classmates... I don't even mind trig at all.
I think it's number dyslexia... and also sometimes my brain gets ahead of itself leading to serious errors. (i.e. I've figured it out intuitively but I have to always back up to figure how to get there step by step so I can get the physical answer.)
I'm also trying not to spend too much money on it either...
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Liang
July 5, 2013 at 4:30 PM
it sounds like dyscalculia, math logic obviously isn't an issue at all. but i have to admit i don't completely believe in it, as far as i remember no brain scan has ever proved it. i'm more inclined to believe that it's like with people who suck at sports, but are good at various physical exercises or dancing. you might look up sites which offer advice for people with dyscalculia, like dyscalculia.org.
khan academy has awesome (also free) videos and exercises for everything math related, including basic arithmetic, pre-algebra etc. i guess my only advice is to just keep solving simple arithmetic problems until it becomes a reflex/second nature, since that's the only way of overcoming difficulties. you also might get some book on vedic mathematics or something like secrets of mental math http://www.amazon.com/books/dp/0307338401 (it's awesome and not expensive)
i've never tried any book on memorization and using mnemonics, but i guess that could help too? i'm sure there are a lot of sites that offer simple mnemonic techniques for numbers for free. math exercizes too. you don't need to spend too much money on it at all, thankfully the internet is full of free stuff, it's just a matter of finding them ;)
in any case, good luck! i hope you'll get better in no time! (and of course good luck with your submissions too!)
btw, as for cyrano dating agency, i totally get your point, but one can say that min young has a talent for PR and interpersonal relationships :) not much compared to the boys, but it's something.
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KimYoonmi
July 5, 2013 at 8:22 PM
Oori Appa has a version. He writes his nines like my brother, but has trouble writing it in the correct direction. His nines always end up backwards--he has trouble remembering how its written. He also has trouble with the order of numbers I probably inherited it from him, though it took several years for me to figure it out. (Since we were separated for my childhood) (I write my nines differently than either of them... my brother doesn't write his nines like our adoptive parents... I do. =P)
My brother doesn't have it at all. He likes math and is good with numbers. He always remembered phone numbers twice as fast as I did. I could always remember which numbers were in it and count the amounts, but not the order they came in.
My dad tried to teach me math theory when he was teaching me addition, multiplication and addition as he got a little frustrated that I was slower. My brother got it two times faster that it became a ritual that my Dad would tell him to shush. My Dad was the type to teach and talk about math theory, the theories of how the universe ran by the time I was in fourth grade. (Not Appa).
My Math teacher from High School said she also tends to mix up the order of numbers too.
I once misread a number in my fifth grade class and mixed up the last two digits and ended up staying up until 1 in the morning trying to solve a repeating long division, but since I didn't know what it was I kept trying to get it to solve. Haha. =P It was only when I realized 1 It's repeating. 2. I'm using 3 pieces of paper to solve this thing. 3. Wait, is that the right number? that I finally quit. The next day we did repeating numbers, much to my chagrin.
I make a lot of those errors. =P My math teachers told me to slow down, think it through, write it down so I don't get confused.
Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 2:42 PM
@KimYoonmi - about rejection
I want to say congratulations on receiving your 50th rejection. It shows persistence.
In life insurance, a sales man is expected to talk to 100 people to make 10 appointments to get 1 sale. That means, he is rejected 99 times before 1 sale. It takes a certain kind of person to not give up in the face of 99 rejections. That person is successful.
I submitted a story to a magazine when I was a fearless teenager. Of course it wasn't good enough for publication, but I took it so hard that I never submitted another story. I was discouraged by one harsh rejection. Don't you be.
end of unsolicited advice. (all well meant, of course)
Fighting.
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 2:45 PM
P.S. Even the most successful writers get rejected. Read up on Isaac Asimov for one example.
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KimYoonmi
July 5, 2013 at 8:30 PM
The road to success is paved with failures. So I'm not sad at all. I wish I could do it faster...
Definitely the ability to not give up is a virtue.
Besides, I think if I get rejected more on the path of trying to diversify what's being written about in terms of what cultures and people are in the world, I rather that that than write, say white straight male of one religion every time as my main character.
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41 Langit13iru
July 5, 2013 at 9:43 AM
Currently I watched all dramas that on my TV. So on KBSW, Shark and Mandate of Heaven. How come I never notice Kim Nam Gil before but his younger self or Chulryong from Mr.Kim is daebak. Mandate of Heaven... i try not to read the recaps before the epis been aired but it hard. Why there is no bromance scene between the crown prince and Won. But I never expect Seulong can act that way. He must be in heaven to get act with those talented actors.
Then on SBS/OneHD, IHYV is really good remind me of Law/Order SVU mash up with Ghost Whisperer mash up with Criminal Minds. I skipped Jang Ok Jung for obvious reason.
On other channel, Vampire Prosecutor2 and FBRS currently on repeat. Finally I don't care about The Pole coz he got the girl IRL.
BTW, in my country there is a drama online with a Korean actor acting. He is a rookie and have been extra on IRIS. He is good looking too. He speak fluent Malay and a bit of English.
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jwspazz
July 5, 2013 at 11:39 AM
is it Autumn di Hatiku ?? for sure you're Malaysian right ?? :D
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42 saturtledaisy
July 5, 2013 at 10:16 AM
wee~ I've been in need of some cheering up lately and I thought Queen's Classroom would do the job - because it's a kdrama about elementary school kids, so I figured it would be adorable.
And the kids are pretty cute.
But omg so dramatic - didn't expect that. (I should have.)
But now I'm a little confused about the teacher: she's treating the children asif they're living in Sparta, but not everything she says is wrong. But she IS pretty cruel. Not sure if I'm supposed to hate her or respect her. He being everywhere in the background just creeps me out though - nice contrast with the cuddliest principal ever *__*
Other than that, I'm still watching IHYV (favourite atm~) and YTBLSS (Still haven't dropped it... Why?) and Cyrano~
But I'll have to put my dramawatching on hold for when I go to China since I won't be having internet for a while - I'll be on a road trip without laptop. But... I want to know how IHYV will end!!!
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 2:24 PM
@Saturledaisy - sending you cheerful bursts of positive energy, so be on the look out for good things to happen to you.
If you must be internetless, fill your ipod with tons of great music to tide you over.
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43 opaque
July 5, 2013 at 10:21 AM
I think I've been ranting in my comments so gonna keep this short.
IHYV and Heartless City are my crack right now. IHYV is hitting the right emotional beats for me and the acting is phenomenal (LJS!!). The plot for HC is going a bit awry but I've come to love it enough to overlook the flaws. (p.s. Shi Hyun x Soo OTP anyone? hehe)
I'm not looking forward to the arranged marriage arc on Tokyo Kiss. I wanted Naoki to be more conflicted - maybe episode 14 will have that?
DAC and Monstar are fun to watch, although I'm enjoying the former more than the latter. I'm liking Min Young a lot and the drama is doing a good job of maintaining a balance between light, comical parts and more angsty, broody parts.
Running man 152 was a hoot to watch. And yay, more ace Ji-hyo screentime. Looking forward to the next episode.
Also watching Just You. But just watching for the bickering, so gonna drop when the angst hits. (Shallow, I know :P)
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junny
July 5, 2013 at 1:51 PM
me me! Shi-hyun + Soo is the true OTP for me!
i think Heartless City has hit a bit of mid-drama fatigue, in that it feels like certain plot points keep recycling themselves. Shi-hyun takes one step forward and two steps back thanks to the two interfering women in his life. Jin-sook does something seemingly for Shi-hyun's good, but in the end Shi-hyun is the one to clean up her mess. Safari betrays Shi-hyun again. Hyung-min and Soo-min being stupid.
i'm hanging in there for the bromance and the turf wars. but writer needs to up the ante soon.
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44 opaque
July 5, 2013 at 10:30 AM
Some other stuff:
1) Rewatched Haken no Hinkaku. And enjoyed it even more the second time around.
2) I'm in uni right now, and I was worrying about course registration because we're given a time/day to enroll based on lottery and it affects what we can enroll in (courses fill up, popular times fill up, etc.). Luckily I got one of the earliest times so feeling fairly relieved and happy :) Now, just have to worry about the 2500 word essay due in about a week. Eep.
3) A crew is trying to do an american BOF remake (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1861805373/boys-over-flowers-american-series-version). I don't think they'll reach the pledge amount though.
4) An awesome youtube cover of When I'm Gone from Pitch Perfect by Kurt Schneider, Alex, Kina Grannis and Same Tsui: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y1aOg_UO_A.
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 11:23 AM
Ohhhhhh, thanks for the When I'm Gone video!
Love Kina especially!
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alua
July 5, 2013 at 11:39 AM
I checked out the original too, but I like this version so much better... it's acappella and and live-recorded, not lip-synched. Plus, they DO everything the whole time, the cups and singing...
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opaque
July 5, 2013 at 12:47 PM
Same. Plus I find Anna Kendrick's voice to be a bit high for my liking. I wonder how many takes it took...it seems so easy to mess up.
(Also typo: Sam Tsui not Same Tsui...edit button, I need you!)
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MeeisLee
July 5, 2013 at 11:39 AM
I'm worrying about course registration as well. It's been open for a couple of weeks now but for some reason it's giving me trouble since there's apparently some stuff I have to submit and do before I can save my seat. I think I'm going to get the left-over crumbs classes :(. But congratz and good luck with that essay! Sounds like a downer though! I'm not looking forward to it in a litle less than 2 months from now.
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opaque
July 5, 2013 at 1:35 PM
Aw that sucks :( Hopefully you'll get some of the classes you want. And thanks! I'm not looking forward to the essay but at least I'm not juggling other courses at the same time. That's for when I'm back in school :P
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owl
July 5, 2013 at 5:21 PM
An American BOF remake - I'm not sure the cultural elements are there. I watch kdramas because they are not like American shows...so I don't see the appeal of the concept.
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45 apple
July 5, 2013 at 11:09 AM
I am distracted by Lee Jong Suk's nose and fascinated by Yoon Sang Hyun's lips.
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 2:18 PM
So I'm not the only one who some times looks lingeringly on the lips trying to decide if they are kissable? Yoon sang Hyun ... definitely kissable.
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 6:02 PM
YES!!! and YES!!! Beautiful, beautiful. Ooh, if i were younger...and in Korea!
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46 Sethe
July 5, 2013 at 12:28 PM
In between trying to follow what's happening in Egypt this week (is it a "coup"?) and (lamentably) getting sucked into this George Zimmerman trial (if you want to understand some of the key divisions in American society today, just take a look at how this trial is being covered), I also made some time yesterday to watch one of the BEST 4th of July movies ever -- Independence Day! And the reason why? Jeff Goldblum... tall, dark, smart, nerdy... SO sexy and hot...
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 2:12 PM
Jeff Goldblum I remember first seeing him in a theater on the big screen. He drove up in some amazing sports car, got out in his dress suit, about to go into a night club/disco. My jaw just dropped. I think it was "Thank God It's Friday" or "Saturday Night Fever" ... some flick about disco. Ever since, no matter what Jeff appears in, I am there. My whole passion for "Earth Girls Are Easy" can be explained by Jeff's presence in that film.
Glad to meet another fan of his.
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Sethe
July 5, 2013 at 3:21 PM
Yeah, Jeff Goldblum is HOT. I remember when I first saw Independence Day, way back when it first came out (I know I'm showing my age here :) ), with a bunch of MIT frat guys, and somehow his character in the movie got all blurred up in my mind with my frat guy friends (there's a point in the movie when he says something about having gone to MIT), and for a long time afterwards, I couldn't be attracted to anyone except a tall, dark, computer scientist (preferably from MIT)...
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Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 5:30 PM
The majority of my boyfriends were brilliant computer guys, including one who got his doctorate from MIT and now teaches at Berkley. Genius is so damn sexy!
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Sethe
July 5, 2013 at 6:41 PM
I am SO with you on that... intelligence (preferably of the tech/hard science type) is HOT. Why do I find that so attractive?
CMRPrindle
July 5, 2013 at 7:51 PM
Maybe b/c when they say they know what they're doing, you know it's true?
Waiting
July 5, 2013 at 10:54 PM
I am going to blame it on the fact that I am born under Aquarius and we apparently are very drawn to intelligence. SMEXY!!!
47 Julia the Berkshire Beanie
July 5, 2013 at 1:58 PM
Happy Friday Beanies. Hope you are enjoying your summer.
The one show that I am waiting eagerly for each week? Barefoot Friends. I think I am finally starting to understand the attraction long time viewers have to variety shows. I care that 2 of the actors are injured, and I hope all are well and back to the show soon.
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KimYoonmi
July 5, 2013 at 7:37 PM
It's getting better, but it's still shaky. Mostly it's still on the editing rather than the talent.
I still like Running Man, though. That's addictive.
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48 whiskers
July 5, 2013 at 3:22 PM
Anyone watch the last episode of She is Wow? I don't even know if I liked it or not..
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49 soprection
July 5, 2013 at 3:33 PM
Hi~ This is my first comment on this lovely site and I actually wanted to ask for clarification about something. In a lot of posts and comments, I see references to a 'Candy' or 'Candy-girl' type character and I must admit that I have no idea what that means. Can anyone explain it to me?
Thanks and have a great weekend!
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hydrangeabloom
July 5, 2013 at 3:52 PM
Hello and welcome! :) I think there might be an explanatory post somewhere, but the short answer is that a Candy heroine is the hard working (usually poor) heroine who has a sunny disposition but no ability to stand up for herself whatsoever. A bit of a martyr like figure in a way. Common prey for Evil Mother In Law characters.
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soprection
July 5, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Hello and thank you so much for the welcome and the explanation. Now that it's been outlined, I have definitely seen that character type before in dramaland.
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Manin
July 5, 2013 at 3:55 PM
a 'candy' if often a hardworking, nice, innocent girl, often from a poorer family. If you look at a lot of female leads in dramas they tend to be the 'candy girl' types.
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soprection
July 5, 2013 at 4:41 PM
Thank you very much. Now that I know what it means, I've definitely seen that character in quite a few dramas.
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 5, 2013 at 6:04 PM
Welcome!
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50 CMRPrindle
July 5, 2013 at 7:47 PM
I said I was going to post today and, gosh darnit, I am!
Hey ya'll! Happy OT weekend. :)
I've just finished Panda And Hedgehog, and cannot thank the Twitter OT crowd enough for suggesting it to me. It took a while to get into it b/c of my crazy crazy schedule, but once my life calmed down a bit, it was a total blast. I only had one serious can't-suspend-the-kdrama-disbelief-any-longer moment, but it wasn't anything worth kicking up a fuss about. Surprisingly enough, a lot of the secondary characters (Won Yi!) were my faves.
I'm just starting (like tonight) Queen In Hyun's Man. Again, the Twitter OT says it's a good follow-up to Panda so I'm gonna trust them. You guys haven't steered me wrong yet :D
Personally, I am seriously writing again! Wish me luck ;)
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jomo143
July 5, 2013 at 8:31 PM
Hello!
Nice to see you. Good luck on your writing.
I am sending you strong Thesaurus saturated brain waves
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
QIHM soooo good.
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CMRPrindle
July 5, 2013 at 9:27 PM
Thank you, Jomo imo! :D I'm looking forward to both, tho a little scared of the writing. *feeling the Thesaurus vibes*
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CaroleMcDonnell
July 6, 2013 at 11:30 AM
So glad you're writing!
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ahjummabunny
July 7, 2013 at 6:10 AM
*waving*
I was hoping to see you at the ot meet up a few months ago. I really liked a lot of panda and hedgehog. The secondary characters really added life into the show at just the right moment. Won Yi especially. QiHM will spoil you for time travel dramas. I followed it up with Nine and Faith. I like a lot of faith but the acting wasn't as great . Hope everything is well with you
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