Clazziquai Project (feat. Kim Jin-pyo) – “Can’t Go On My Own” [ Download ]
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Rejoice! I know my grumpy nitpicking and arrogating hostility did offend many enthusiastic DB-followers and commenters in the past. Finally, these days are (temporarily?) over!
I have to take a break from K-drama and, in consequence, from DB. Don't relax too much though, I will still occasionally keep an eye on the comments here, and if eventually a show gets mentioned with the same kind of enthusiasm as "Misaeng" or "Grapevine" -- both of which I only picked up thanks to you guys -- I cannot promise you that I'll be able to resist a potential comeback. Better be prepared!
It's been a great time (to me! Your milage may vary of course.) I'll definitely miss at least some of you ;)
Your health is more important than my enjoying what you write. (Only a little bit, though, mind you, since I really ENJOY what you write. And was your ally in the "Grape Vine is awesome" comments.)
Go ahead. Take a break and rejuvenate. We'll be here when you get back.
Oh no. I'll definitely miss reading your posts and the engaging conversation & sharp wit from your comments. Take a rest and take care of yourself Jon G. Hope to see you comeback around here soon again. :)
I hope it's nothing serious that takes you away from us, and I'll really miss your comments - I really appreciated the thoughts - thoughtfulness, grumpiness, snark and all.
(and count me in on the Misaeng+Grapevine fan club, I'm still convinced those dramas were the best of their respective years)
Just want to join the chorus: hope all is well and that you will come back soon; who is going to keep us grounded when we get carried away by a pretty face? :-)
I'm okay, I'm healthy, in fact I'm much healthier than I deserve to be considering my lifestyle.
My decision to give up (on) K-drama comes down to the very unappealing current state of K-drama (now that I lost my faith in tvN). At the same time, I'm busy with the start of a new project in my professional field, which -- right now -- is much more interesting than facepalming in front of the TV screen ...
I wish you all the best (you'll probably need it)!
Though I could understand why netizens are unhappy about the deviation of CITT from the webtoon, still, it is a kdrama, so we can’t blame the PD for bringing in the formulaic love triangle to spice things up a bit. But it was quite bizarre that Yoo Jung-Seol couple scenes were being dropped at the expense of developing In Ho’s arc, which constituted a great disservice to Seo Kang-Joon due to the snowballing hatred against IH and his piano. This is the first time in the history of Kdrama land when an instrument playing prince charming got shafted. While a violin playing Kim Hyun-Joong (Yoon Ji-hoo) in Boys Over Flowers who was a real contender in the love triangle involving Gu Jun-pyo and Geum Jan-di, and who was also given a lot more screen time than the original manga Hana Yori Dango, could earn himself quite a big fan following. All that pitiful IH got was hatred from CITT fans even though his love was only one-sided unrequited love. He may be better off by himself in a drama called Successful story of a Bright Boy/Piano Boy or something like that, than to come in between YJ-S and got himself embroiled in the messy controversy surrounding CITT.
Again, despite its ultra-modern façade, South Korea is still quite a conservative society at its core, therefore, it is understandable that the PDs of free to air tv programs have reservation about sending the wrong subliminal messages out to viewers. I’m no expert in Mass Comm 101, but didn’t we see in The Producers that PDs were being summoned to a media regulating authority for interrogation even when there was only the slightest inappropriateness in their programs? So CITT PD might have asked YJ to bear the brunt of his sociopathic behaviour for the sake of upholding “social responsibility”, and his “happy ever after ending” with Seol was purposely not made explicit as it would send the wrong message to girls that it is trendy behaviour to put up with a manipulative and narcissistic boyfriend. And because it did not have the capacity to delve into the domain of mental health like It’s Ok, It’s Love, we did not get to see how YJ sorted out his “disorder”. So the end result is a flawed adaptation of CITT. By dangling the cheese webtoon to get viewers enticed into a messy trap, no wonder CITT fans felt betrayed.
The CITT webtoon does feel a bit too “avant garde” to me, forgive me for my old-fashioned thinking, to borrow Javabean’s words, I’m a first generation Hallyu 1.0 fan, when Prince Charmings were still charming and cell phones folded in the middle, and the prince charming usually can play piano too! (eg. Jin-heon in Lovely Sam Soon, Song-joo in Stairway to Heaven, Joon-Sang in Winter Sonata, etc). The only Korean Manhwa I ever read was the simple and unsophisticated Pape Popo Memories and Pape Popo Together by Sim Sung-Hyun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucUsZEJSlPk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-VRYdkAopY https://www.youtube...
You're right about Boys over Flowers and the violins and the nonsense (which I love). Apparently either times are changed and audience need substance, or In Ho in CIIT was not as "hot" as the boys in Boys over Flowers, OR it's just a case of massive hysteria (by the way your comment about Mass Comm sent me years back to when I was a Media and Communication student, so thank you).
And though I had huge objections about It's OK it's love, this is not a similar case. The character here was a slighlty disturbed post-adolescent with a whole life ahead of him to get better, not a schizophrenic in his '30s. And that drama was meant to be a "tragedy", not a "deconstructed" rom-com.
didn’t we see in The Producers that PDs were being summoned to a media regulating authority for interrogation even when there was only the slightest inappropriateness in their programs?
Oh, I very much doubt that was what happened with Cheese - KBS is a public broadcast channel, and well known to be the most conservative of the Big 3 in Korea (hence the jokes about their PDs getting pulled up for everything). And even they managed to air Discovery of Love and Nice Guy without a hitch.
tvN, otoh, is cable - and much like in the US, cable is not nearly as beholden to censoring authorities for 'morals'. I definitely don't think what happened to Cheese can be pinned on any external/regulatory authorities, it's all on the production/drama team itself.
Is KBS really public television? I always had the impression that everything is privatised in South Korea. Anyhow I have no idea how "goverment owned" channels work in Asia, but in Europe public television is competitive (BBC, RAI, TVE etc) and usually much better than private networks.
Yeah, I also had the impression that everything is privatised in SK. I actually meant "public access tv", and typed "free to air" instead. Well, it was just my 2 cents, I've no inkling regarding how tv regulation works in SK, but was quite taken aback when PDs were summoned for interrogation by the authority in The Producers, oh, was that meant to be a joke of some kind?
<it is a kdrama, so we can’t blame the PD for bringing in the formulaic love triangle to spice things up a bit
They are a rare species but there are kdramas, romantic ones at that, that have no love triangle. It's Okay It's Love that you mention being one of them.
Given CITT's general unconventionality and the fact that the very beloved webtoon did not have this triangle, it could have easily ditched the love triangle trope – it never needed it for "spice" to begin with.
I personally believe that this drama was the perfect candidate to "break the rules", also considering the fact that it didn't even air on public TV but cable.
I kinda agree with you on some points and I just don't understand why Tv-channels are so conversative in SK while the Media is in turmoil perhaps they should correct the media first. aside from that it was unnecessary leaving the guidelines of the original webtoon to force a love triangle. I think what happened was that the PD was BOF-inspired they also aired there premier on the same day as BOF just 7-years later and it didn't really work out for them because they left the guidelines of the original webtoon something BOF didn't do but made small changes for adaptation and mostly cultural once but it ended up as very bad for CITT especially for a fan like me who really loved the series and the webtoon even more.
I feel sorry for In-ha because it's not his fault but sadly will have to carry that burden for a long time now since not only korea but in general the Koreaboo fans and the K-fans do share same thoughts in my opinion and don't forget things easily
I'm really looking forward to seeing Jang Geun-seok again - he hasn't had the best of luck in choosing dramas, but he's a great actor when he gets to stretch his acting chops. I was so sorry to see that tax thing - that he evidently wasn't even involved in personally - drag him down, and I hope this drama is good and gives him some fresh exposure!
Come Back Ajusshi is the only drama I'm really watching right now.
I fell behind on Cheese and then decided not to catch up again on reading about bwhat happens later on here.
I also fell behind on Madame Antoine, which I loved in the very beginning - but then the heroine lost all of her savvy and her ability to read people, and it was basically all about the hero fooling her while falling in love with her, and the heroine having to learn from him (while he of course doesn't have to learn anything from her). I plan to check back in again though, in case she regains her edge and really turns the drama into an interesting clash!
agree completely. couldn't stand CIIT and Madame Antoine, the first coz it got boring fast and the second for the same reason you mentioned. Please come back Ahjussi is the the only drama I'm enjoying now, hope it doesn't go downhill too. As of now the characters are quirky and unpredictable and the whole thing is just a whole lot of fun :D
JGS on the screen again will be heaven! He's the MC on that whack show 101 Produce - a reality show that eliminates trainees weekly to create a new girl group - and I just want to see his captivating smile in dramaland again!
What you said about Madame Ant is what pretty much killed it for me. I could have put up with the really bad medical stuff (sort of). But when she went from super-savvy to "oh yay, another stupid candy girl" around the end of ep2 they lost me.
It's been a tiring week with finals coming up so I had to take a break from a few dramas that needed some thinking HUHU
OMHE - it's an easy watch so this week has been too sweet HAHA Every time SH talks, it's full of sweetness that I can't help but cringe at every word HAHA
YOF in Africa - bromance! I LOLed at that incident with JY's nekkid scene....can we somehow get a glimpse of it?? hihihihi and I'd love to see JY in the future somewhere out there while he's travelling. He's the best travel buddy!
PBG and RJY's talk at Dune 45 makes me cry! and JY's kindness to the staff was the sweetest thing a star can do in a travel program.
Can't wait to see episode 3, it looks like they will separated into two groups?
Happy Friday!
Quite a week for CITT viewers, wasn't it? So many Park Hae-jin articles out there-looks like he is the winner after all?
Like JB mentioned, last 2 episodes felt like a typical Korean drama. But I am still grateful that the show gave me Kim Go-eun. I just adored her as Hong Seol. Some from interview with Kim Go-eun (25).
Even from the casting time, she was center of gossip which criticized she had the different look from the original webtoon character Hong Seol. About her being new to TV (Her debut was movie 'Eungyo'), and being accused not having same looks as the heroine of a popular webtoon, she said "Doing a drama was burden for me. I didn't know about Drama shooting atmospheres/settings. At first I turned down, but Lee Yoon-jung PD asked me with assurance to do together, so I didn't hesitate. After receiving the offer, I read the webtoon all night. I didn't think I couldn't portray the character because she was similar to me and a very common person."
In CITT, Seol and Yoo-jun's love line has conflicts as if taking psychology tests, and the people around her cause too much trouble, making things more complicated. Seol is the person who suppress those feelings rather than getting in trouble even if she has to make a sacrifice. "Seol is so frustrated. I can't live like that. Having difficult time is ok, but I can't take being done wrong/being unfair. There was time I could not understand Yoo-jung."
About playing Seol, "When I portray a character, I take out myself. I tried to talk with Seol's mind. How can you act a character with 100% understanding when you don't even understand your own family 100%. At first, I thought Seol was like a comfortable friend. I thought she was a realistic character and she was like a real person who actually live around us. During the filming, thoughts like 'why my face expression was like that in that situation? Was my feeling shown correct in that situation?' 'I should have thought more seriously' made me feel dissatisfied with my acting, but I kept going as I intended." "For her outfits (Her outfit was loved by Knetz), I went to the shopping mall where college students frequent, rather than using a brand name to look pretty and natural, with the concept 'outfit you can find anywhere easily'."
One thing similar with Kim Go-eun and Hong Seol is shy personality. "I am very shy so I can't talk to a stranger. I don't know what to say.. But when I see them second time, I am so glad and get close quickly. On the third meet, I become friend (even though the other person might not think that way.). Once I become friend, there is no end. Someone has to stop me. There were times when I talked with PD, staffs came up and said 'Shooting is ready, so talk after the shoot'. Still I make sure to keep manners. I don't like being disrespectful to each other."
About ad-lib ("encouraging her cast to find the most natural deliveries," per JB), "Lee PD said we can act at our will. So I did lots of ad-lib. PD has to say 'Cut' to stop the acting, but she did not say 'Cut!' soon enough. For example, when Yoo-jung said he will just sleep after kissing in her room, Seol complained saying 'He can sleep fine since he has lots of experience.'- that was ad-lib. And murmuring playing with blanket, rolling in the bed when talking on the phone with Yoo-jung was all ad-lib.
About all hateful characters in CITT, Kim picked Da-jung as the worst character. "I really hated Da-young(Kim Hae-ji) who did bad-mouthing behind me more than Sang-chul(Moon Ji-yoon) sunbae. After shooting the scene where Da-young and Bo-ra get in a verbal fight, I called Hae-ji 'You come here.'. Hae-ji did not know what to do, smiling awkwardly. In the scene fighting with Min-soo(Yoon Ji-won) with Seol expressing her anger, and Da-young lingering around. I told the PD that I wanted to fight with Da-jung not Min-soo.. Of course Hae-ji is very nice person. Now that I talk, I am worried if she feels hurt. I only dislike Da-jung not Hae-ji. She helped me and we warmed up ourselves with heater together."
About acting 'Dating newbie' Hong Seol, "Do I look like an expert? I wish. I'd like to hear someone saying 'Look at her, she knows all too well.' For Seol, that was her first dating. Isn't first dating all same? I thought about pure innocent feeling. Actually I think I am innocent too? I am really innocent.(laugh)
btw the scene Yoo-jung hit his head on the table lying down by her bed in Seol's room in episode 6 was NG and ad-lib.(If you didn't know already) Park Hae-jin said, "Seol's house set is really tiny. While filming lying down, I hit my head on the table by mistake. That was NG. Everybody including me was so shocked. If it were Yoo-jung, he might have just slept quietly, but I was so shocked that I screamed. PD-nim cracked up and wanted to use that scene. I hesitated actually. Go-eun ssi took it very well when it happened. She is such a smooth actress. Everything afterwards were ad-lib." He said it took 7 hours shooting Seol's room scene and Kim Go-eun was so impressive behaving like she was actually at her home during that time. "Seol is so natural. We usually act on the PD's Q-Sign, but I felt she was not acting. I usually remember what I am doing while shooting. I move under calculation since acting is promise with camera, but I forgot myself in front of Seol. When I watched the scene on TV, I asked myself if I really acted like that. Watching the scene I patted Seol's hair, I thought 'Did I really look at her with such a happy face?' "
Thank you so much for these interview snippets .<) No wonder why PHJ is so impressed with her, since he cares a lot (one might say too much lol) about style.
Reading these makes me believe even more that there was no hatred from the PD to PHJ as an actor or YooJung as a character. The PD does well when the materials are already set up for her, but falters when she has to make up new stuff, it seems. All the actors love her directing (in terms of acting), and I think she's great at letting actors shine and letting the small moments really stand out, but when it comes to overall story she falls short.
And of course I'm only using the PD as shorthand for whoever else (drama writer, drama producers/team leaders) that were involved in the bad decisions of screwing up the story.
Cheese in the Trap was a massive letdown but I'm happy Kim Go-eun got so much love as Seol. She's incredibly versatile and such a natural actress, her getting more love from the public is the one good thing that came out of this drama.
Also in this drama, hr body language reminds me a bit of Gong Hyo-jin. They both have that very natural vibe to them, and wear even simple outfits effortlessly (I loved Seol's clothes too)
Happy Friday
I didn't watch lot of drama,
but funnily, I resumed Hua Qian Gu : The Journey of Flower to the end and I don't know why I did that.
It's one thing about mess up story and mess up SARFT editing but I don't know what happen, I just knew that I care too much about the character, Sha Jie Jie and Bai Zi Hua should had bromance with Dongfang as 3rd person in the group and just travel around the world, I would definitely buy the DVD for that. I think it has the story, it just they didn't knew how to make it in right chronological order. My conclusion for the show is : Journey of Flower : Why we can't be immortal .
This reminds me of Nirvana in Fire editing team in my mind,
1st person : ooh 40 minutes, let's cut . .
2nd person: wait, someone still talking/flying/fighting
1st person: ok wait until they finished aaaand yup 40:40 cut! Next episode please . .
DoTS : loved it, I like the flow, I like that I can watch it without so much trouble and still left with satisfied feeling, like a good slice of life, there's nothing I really afraid of and it's so cute. It just good, I mean I'll recommend this to my mom, my sister and my friend. It has the theme and hard things but it feels good.
The other things is The OST : I love it All , from yoon mirae, punch x chen, davichi and they said Kwill is next.... It's quite rare for me to like the song even without the drama relation.
Haven't watch CBA ep 4 but I feel bad for the other Rain in the plane, it's not a harm to have double rain...but I still feel there's so many character in the story, I want it to be longer so I can see another character.
Btw, what exactly make you stay in a drama?
I find myself stay for acting rather than story cause if I can sympathize with the character, I am tolerate the story
Story (more so) and character both (so actor/actress playing the character is important). One thing for sure is that certain actor/actress is not the factor making me stick to the drama (like The time we were whatever).
I stay if the "world" the writer gives us stays consistent. What I mean is, even if the world is totally unrealistic, if it has rules and the characters stay within those rules, and (like you said) if I sympathize with the characters, I will generally be drawn in to a story.
I kind of allow myself to be sucked in--I don't know if I can explain, since my husband says he never "loses" himself in a story and can't understand me at all. But it's almost as if I am "there." And if a drama keeps reminding me, jarring me back to the fact that I'm in my living room, sitting in the rocking chair, watching these "PRETEND people (with bad, or nonsensical writing) and that it's not happening to me--that makes me lose interest.
Example/Not Example: right now I love signal. And everything about it (almost) seems like I.am.there. It's scary how much I feel like I am with the characters during tense moments. Now, the only time I am dragged back to the fact that I'm watching a show is during the Subway PPL's. But since I love this show so much, I just find this "endearing." (Kind of an inside joke between me and the show.)
But when a character makes a STUPID (not backed up by the rules) choice--like when the main female finally confesses to the main male love interest--and he reciprocates that (shock) he loves her too--and then the next action is she goes to Italy to learn to brew coffee, or he gets hit with a truck and succumbs to amnesia. Well, then I am jarred into the reality that I am watching a show. And honestly, many time (unless I am invested enough to forgive the writer) I drop it.
I agree that if the world they create is interesting, has many story even with different character as focus, the acting doesn't really matter.
My point is really about :
good acting bad story can make me stay more episode than good story bad acting,
I feel like bad acting always failed the story department while good acting can save the story
"But when a character makes a STUPID (not backed up by the rules) choice–like when the main female finally confesses to the main male love interest–and he reciprocates that (shock) he loves her too–and then the next action is she goes to Italy to learn to brew coffee"
Ha, for a second I thought you were still talking about Signal there and I was like--that is not the same show I have been watching.
It's the little emotional beats in a drama that makes me hooked, on top of good/versatile acting. That varies as well, depending on my state of mind since there were a lot of times that I thought I would absolutely love a drama and didn't, or vice versa. I also usually watch the actors/actress that I follow then figure out if I'm hooked or not. I learned to drop the drama right away, once it doesn't hold up my interest anymore, even if it had my absolute favorite actor on it (looking at you Hyde Jeckyll and Me).
Nope. And what a waste of Hyun Bin's talent and comeback project.
For CBA - I'm enjoying all the actors and the story so far , but I slightly worry that the stories will get complicated and how cohesive that journey will be. There's enough things going on but I do think about how they will go around explaining that Rain and Oh Yeon So have to leave for good in the end.
I think they really doesn't make hyun bin do much in HJE, his acting is good but it wasn't enough to save the show.
CBA has too much thing and I am really worry how they gonna tied it up
Your question has fascinated me for years--why do I keep reading/watching some things and drop others? If I'm going to wax philosophical(ish?), then I think a big part of my interest comes from how committed I feel the show is to itself. Like, does it know what kind of show it wants to be and is it willing to go all out to be that show? It has less to do with the plot itself (or lack thereof) or the extremity of the twists, writing or the acting and more with how aware the show is of itself. If you have bad writing and a campy feel, fine--but why and does it add to the show? What are they trying to tell or give their viewers--be it a moral, an hour of escape, or a tale of the extremes of life--and how committed are they to delivering that? It takes communication between the actors, directors, writers, etc. but when everybody's on the same page it's awesome.
From a more technical point, a good OST. If the music is whack, I just can't watch it (which is why I find myself struggling with most Taiwanese/Chinese dramas--it's always too loud!)
Whatever, maybe I'm overthinking it. Some shows have the magic, and others don't. I can tell which is which, and that's good because then I don't waste my time on something I don't enjoy. :)
I thought I was the only one who thinks that Taiwanese dramas are too loud. There's also too much background noise and color.
I gave up on Taiwanese drama altogether as I literally get a headache 10 min into an episode. I'm sure it's not the tonal language because I do watch the occasional Hongkong and mainland China dramas.
For sure. I'm learning Mandarin so I understand pretty well what's going on... and then in all the great moments the music comes and I can't hear a darn thing. Gah!Do you have any good Mainland ones to recommend? I'm always looking.
Thanks for recommending DotS, sancheezy. I looked up the OSTs on youtube, I like all of them too! The trailer is enticing me to watch DotS, and I just realised that the lead actor is Jin Goo, I last saw him in Ad Genius Lee Tae-Baek.
Also My beloved show 'I have a lover' ended. Since I’d been an avid fan, I can't help but leaving a comment.
(Am I in minority?)
(With a little Spoiler) From an article(and me): This drama showed how not to be a Makjang drama with makjang elements. The show received criticism of being a Makjang drama in the beginning because of the affair plot, but now hardly anyone calls IHL as a Makjang drama. The reason it was able to avoid this insult was because the show didn't use the affair just to pull the attention from viewers.
In the process for one couple- Choi Jin-eon(Ji Jin-hee) and Do Hae-gang(Kim Hyun-joo) re-building their hopelessly ruined relationship (and become family/couple again), an affair was just one of things happened. Through husband's affair and its consequences, they were able to reflect on themselves and realize their significance to each other. The reason he fell for the other woman(Gang Seol-ri) was because of their daughter's death (who died due to what his wife did, which made the couple become even more distant), in addition to Gang reminded him of his wife whom he fell in love with when they were young (His wife became cold and ambitious after they were married). If they stayed together without mending their problem, they'd have continued living without soul and love. But through these and related incidences, his wife/Do lost her memory, lived as her twin sister, and became young innocent herself again (And Choi fell in love with his wife again. Well actually he was in love with his wife all along).
Even with the Makjang elements (Affair, Amnesia etc), the reason IHL was different from others was that it was able to persuade audiences. It showed why those Makjang elements were needed for their romance convincingly- thanks to Top notch acting from the leads.
I think weakest part of this drama are a few first(affair) and last(repeated plot points) episodes. btw if you want to watch, skip like ep 3-8 to avoid frustration. Has great OST (my fav along with 'Youth' from Reply 88) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuI4NTUpEUE
I didn't watch I Have A Lover, but not so long ago, I did tune in to watch about 15-20 minutes of it after reading many good comments about it. I was pretty good actually!
No, you're not a minority. I always leave a comment about I have a lover. I shall miss it so much. The story, the chemistry, the initial controversy and the sublime acting of Kim Hyun-Joo in actually FOUR roles. I'll miss it so much...
Thanks! I have been staying away from Soompi because it is not neat? like DB site here. 725 page-that is something.
Guess I am going to do some reading.
Hi fan, thanks for the link to the IHL Ost. I like the feel of this song by Ryu, it's awesome! I'm now quite tempted to watch IML, but not sure if I can handle 50 eps. I like KHJ since the time of Glass Slippers and JJH since Dae Jang Geum.
My comment posted above about CITT is awaiting moderation... why's that?
I’ve recently finished watching Because It’s The First Time, it is simple and refreshing, showing that a love triangle can be amicably settled without feelings of resentment from shippers. Choi Min-ho deserves a mention here, his acting skills improved a lot, making him much more likeable in BITFT than in To The Beautiful You. Have also finished watching Falling For Innocence as I couldn’t get enough of Song Soo-hyuk(Jung Kyung-ho) in OMHE, but was quite disappointed that he looked and acted quite the same in both dramas. I don’t know exactly what went wrong with recent rom-coms, I somehow got bored half-way through even though I like both the lead actor and actress, eg. OMHE, OMV, FFI, etc. It feels as though the endearing couple scenes were dished out in a perfunctory manner by the writer, quite unlike those Hallyu 1.0 dramas which have more sincere elements and heart-felt conversations which could touch the viewers’ heart. Or could it be due to the law of diminishing marginal utility? As we see more of the same kind of drama with similar tropes, the gratification and satisfaction we get out of it diminishes more and more.
I am currently watching Who Are You? which feels like a slower-paced version of I Remember You merging with Oh My Ghostess as it’s about a dead police inspector uncovering the mysterious conspiracy surrounding his death. So Yi-hyun(Yang Shi-ohn) paired up very well with both Ok Taecyeon(Cha Gun-woo) and Kim Jae-wook(Lee Hyung-joon). Again, there is no need for shipping here as KJW is the dead boyfriend from the past who are hovering around to assist and protect Shi-ohn while she and Gun-woo go about solving the mystery surrounding his own death. Probably the hardest part of dealing with the death of loved ones and of oneself is to let go of people and things which are closest to heart. KJW’s character of Hyun-joon from the netherworld is very different from the bubbly Soon-ae(Kim Seul-gie) in Oh My Ghostess. He could only be seen but not heard by Shi-ohn and he does not go around possessing anyone, so he could only communicate through facial expression and body language. It is quite challenging to ‘silently’ express the emotional turmoil of avenging a wrongful death, and the angst of helplessly witnessing his loved one falling in love with someone else. In this regard, KJW did a good portrayal, I also like flashbacks of his heart-warming couple moments with SYH. Of course, Ok Taecyeon is the male lead, the commanding presence of a bubbly and upbeat boyish Gun-woo and his constant banter with Shi-ohn balanced the sombre mood of Hyung-joon’s tragedy.
Yes, I absolutely agree that WAY was very underrated. Because it is of slower pace than typical crime thriller, things only start to pick up momentum from Ep 5 onwards after Hyung-joon’s spirit appear. I like KJW as Jung-in in Mary Stayed Out All Night a lot, and now, I'm also starting to like this character in WAY.
I think your comment wait moderation because of link , do you insert some link there?
I also love because it's the 1st time, it's quite a deep story for me when it's all in the matter if heart even if it looked simple.
I like how they all become friend and how they deal with their love.
Even though I like Choi Minho x Kim Go Eun couple, I also understand their choice.
It's bittersweet and an enjoyable story, I hope there's more story like that in the future,
As for similar trope in drama, I admit that I got sick of it sometimes and if it played over and over, the impact is less than the previous one. The best example is makjang weekend drama, the reason people can't stand it is simple, they all almost do the same thing over and over to gain the 50 ep quota but also enjoyable at some point.
Hi sancheezy, I think my comment was deleted.. I did include a few Youtube links of a manhwa I would like to share with others, other then that, my comment about CITT may have covered something sensitive? I really don't know why?
Watching BITFT gave me a breezy feeling, it was so easy to get totally engrossed and before I knew it, I'd finished all 8 eps. Probably this is what differentiates it from other recent rom-coms with formulaic tropes, I wonder if the actors and actresses got goosebumps when acting out the ultra-cheesy couple scenes.
did you posted this "파페포포 애니 PV 1 ??" I found it at the end of comment
I liked to watch reality show and the actor did feel it's ultra cheesy,
I wish Lee min ho, kim soo hyun and lee jong suk can get that question cause I never really see them in talk show, they should go to Infinity Challenge and watch the remakes of their story and I wonder what is their reaction
Yep, I posted that "파페포포 애니 PV 1 ??” video, and I noticed that my posting was not deleted afterall, it appeared again as thread no. 2 on top.
Haha! So the actors did also feel that those couple scenes were ultra cheesy. :) I don't usually watch talk shows and entertainment programs like Running Man, etc. As I prefer their personas/characters in dramas than the real person.
It's already so late here (2:30 am), will have to go sleep!
I agree about your point on watching one drama after another from the same genres. That's why I like to vary my drama-watching diet. For example, whilst I was on the tail end of watching Producer (late), I started watching Signal, which is now on its tail end, so I'm starting Descendants of the Sun. All very very different shows. If I watch one romcom/grisly thriller after another I get exhausted quite quickly and start to reject K-drama altogether.
Just one more.
Love Signal. Can't wait to watch next ep. Casts and staffs already left for their celebratory trip (without giving any interview. I wanted one for Jo Jin-woong). Here is one interview with Lee Dong-ha/Han Se-kyu (Murderer of singer trainees, 3rd cold case) from Signal.
Lee Dong-ha (33) who played Han Se-kyu, the Nam Gyu-man No.2 in Signal is an actor with 8 years of experience who debuted in musical but has only 2 years of acting experience in front of camera. He says he feels happiest when he delve into the character who he plays. Han Se-kyu was a psychopass who committed evil acts like-rape, murder, drug etc. and got away because of his rich background. Viewers loathed him and couldn't stand him. He kept saying it was real honor. "I was honored just being able to work with the director, writer, and senior actors. When I think about it now, I feel like I had a dream. It was not a huge role, but when I walk in the street, people recognize me saying 'That is Han Se-kyu!" I am so happy I was remembered by playing his character. He portrayed Han Se-kyu realistically as the culprit in the 3rd cold case. "I am grateful for the interests given to me, even though I feel dissatisfied a little... My biggest regret is that I should have shown more flexible and unique evil character. Then again you can't avoid having regrets after the acting. I tried to portray the character, watching the movie like 'American Psycho' and studied what mind and feelings those actors acted with.
In Signal, Han Se-kyu beat up, raped, and murdered women. This type of acting is naturally hard on the actors. "When we filmed that scene raping and beating a woman felt so realistic that I felt such a burden, ended up fainting due to excessive breathing problem. Shooting stopped for about an hour. Lee Eun-woo noona was playing the victim character, and she encouraged me to do whatever I want without hesitation, that way good scene could come out. That made me feel at ease, and I am so thankful to her."
About filming, he said "I was only in 4 episodes, but because shooting wasn't done on regular schedule, I had to live as Han for 4 months. There was even a time that I waited for one month until I shoot my next scene. When there was no shooting, I studied watching other shows. That was hard so I drank a lot. It was hard time mentally and physically, but people around me helped and I have learned a lot."
He said just breathing in the same space with senior actors/actresses was real honor. "Sunbae-nim's concentration is amazing. With the case of Jo Jin-woong and Kim Hae-soo Sunbae, there were only Cha Soo-hyun and Lee Jae-han in front of me even though we started to shoot right after I said hello to them. When Jo sunbae called me 'Han Se-kyu', he was natural detective. I could be able to do Han Suk-kyu role thanks to Sunbae-nim.
About the casting, He said he went to the audition when he heard Kim PD of Miseang is doing the audition without having any knowledge about the drama. "I did audition for 3 hours. I gave greetings and read scripts. PD-nim told me "Do this way in this part" and kept asking to do more. I ended up reading all my parts in Episode 5 to 8 for 3 hours. I found out about what the show was about. Actually I didn't have any expectation. I just thought it was my honor having an audition with Kim PD. But I got a call 4 hours after the audition. I was so excited."
About HSK's end, "Personally I think Han's end should have been worse and more pathetic (than just being arrested), that way viewers might've felt more satisfaction. I watched the scene when aired, and felt like it ended too clean."
He said about people's response. "I am amazed people recognize me in the street. My parents work in the arts area, and they criticize/give advice on my acting, with comments like "This is awkward" etc. But this time they said "You did ok." Especially the responses from my friends were overwhelming. Some High school friend whom I have not met for a long time contacted me asking to have a drink. They said I had a hit this time. Playing Han Se-kyu was hard but made me happy. I'd like to be an actor who is remembered by the character I play. When people recognized me, I want them to say "Han Se-kyu' not 'Lee Dong-ha."
btw is there anyone you want to see the interview?
I love you! I'm a fan of Jo Jin-woong. It's always good to read articles about him.
He is one of my favorite supporting actors in Chungmuro. I want to see "The Handmaid" so bad with Park Chan Wook at the helm.
When Park Chan-Wook produce, write and direct his film you know it's going to be something special and out of this world. This is my most anticipated film of the year.
It's been quite a week wading through this new batch of writing contest entries.
Finished the fantasy entries. I encountered had so many twists I felt like calling Chubby Checker. (Old joke that youngsters won't get.) I so wish writers wouldn't do that twist ending thing. Twists for twists' sake. Another story that was unique in narration and had all the storytelling elements but was way too nihilistic and cruel for my taste. Luckily she was a bit messy with her dialoging so I could low-rank the story on issues other than my emotions. There was also a flaky fun story about an evil villainous cat. Fun witty and tongue in cheek. It was seriously strange. Would make a great picture book or chapter book if the vocabulary wasn't so adult.
Now working on fairytale entrants. So many writers flipping tropes IN THE SAME EXACT WAY with THE SAME EXACT CHARACTERS. I want to say to these folks, "Now look here! you are NOT that original. Stop trying to write the "not your mother's fairytale." You are obviously not up on what's happening in the specfic community or else you wouldn't be coming up with such a banal everyday idea!" But no. I'm in mentor maternal mode..and just gently gritting my teeth and saying stuff like, "This story is very predictable. Have you considered writing your own fairytale with your own original characters? Originality trumps adaptation anytime." I swear! If I see one more good witch and evil Cinderella/Snow White or feminist/divorced Sleeping Beauty.
Six Flying Dragons: Don't get me wrong but I'm sitting around waiting for YeonHee, Jeong DeJeon, and Crown Prince to be murdered. I feel so evil. On the other hand, I'm hoping for a love story between oori MooHyul and SeGwang. Hoping Nameless leaves her alone but one never knows.
Cheese: Ah, PD-nim! You were either in love with our second lead (or actor playing second lead) or you disliked first lead (or actor playing first lead.) I thought your ending of this drama was like a royal f*ck-off to viewers. It's as if you did everything to imply and kiss off any possible romance. You couldn't bring yourself to even let us hope for a happy ending between Jung and HongSeol. You did everything to imply she was falling out of love with him and to make the most closed open-ending I've ever seen.
Descendants: I really hate women slapping men! But these dramas are full of that kinda thing. And gets away with it cause ya know..she was all emotional and angry and stuff. It's like I want to shout at the screen, "Why are you laying your hand on someone's face so harshly? And director-nim, PD-nim, find another way to show passionate anger!" In real life, I would have no problem with a guy returning such a slap. Woman or not, she shouldn't be allowed to hit someone. Okay, rant over. Other than that, this is a very romantic drama and I had forgotten how hot cocky men in uniform are! Dayum, Song Joong Ki! I'll also say..the women running around...
I'll also say..the women running around bare-legged and without a hajib in an Islamic country. Kinda disrespectful and dangerous. Did she actually visit the patient while wearing shorts? It would've been good to see our female doctors dressed to respect the culture they're in.
Come back mister: I'm watching it. Not really super connected with it but am not hating it either.
Signal: Ah me! Preparing myself for all the tension. This drama is so good but so stressing. I literally have to fight fear in order to click the link. Then, adequately prepared, I jump in and brim over with hate for evil self-righteous smug hater of lowlifes Captain Kim.
Trying to figure out if I'll watch either Five Children or Yeah, it happened like that. Or neither. Or both. I need a good weekender.
Someone mentioned Orange Days last week so I'll try to watch it this weekend.
I thought the first two episodes of Come Back Mister were clever. But I think I'm dropping it. The two leads joking around about boobs and "things" on the bed--and male in a woman's body getting excited about Rain's character. Nah. It doesn't fit in that world's rules for me.
The character Rain plays isn't depicting the seriousness of the situation when he's not with his family. Honestly, shouldn't he be a bit more mopey about his family when he's not with them? Altogether too light. And didn't he say he wanted to come back to tell his wife about some money he secretly stashed or some such thing? Why hasn't he told her? It's not as if they have all the time in the world -- not that they were told by the heavenly clerk how much time they have. But still....
the women running around bare-legged and without a hajib in an Islamic country
Wearing hijabs or 'covering up' isn't compulsory in all Islamic countries, specially for foreigners - Pakistan, Bangladesh and some of the Emirates don't have an officially-enforced hijab mandate, even if lots of women there do wear them.
Even though it's not compulsory, I think the point that Carole made is still valid. It's not about the covering, but to wear clothes that are more conservative, just out of respect to the other's cultures. Of course, this is just my opinion also.
But then again, even though I've been a kdrama addict for years, it still baffles me that women go to work with shorts and mini skirts, and I live in the US. It would've been considered really inappropriate and unprofessional here. What I find even more ironic is that Koreans seem to think that US is wayyyy more liberal than they are.
mind you, I've only seen pics of the outfit Carole is referring to, and it doesn't strike me as something out of place for a foreigner to wear in places like Dubai or Istanbul. Bare legs are far from verboten there, even if local women don't show theirs.
Yeah, those mini-skirts would get a lot of those working women pulled over by the cops as being working girls. Remember our little girl band and the airport incident?
I don't think women go to work wearing shorts and mini skirts in SK, those are just for showcasing fashionable attire in kdrama. In Misaeng, Ahn Young-yi's (Kang So-ra) office attire is so prim and proper, this is more likely to be closer to reality.
"Official" isn't the problem. There are a lot of self-appointed guardians of public moral around in such places. I have friends who live in the Middle East and even in Israel and dang! Religious clerics are absolutely known for hitting women's bare legs. Take a warning from me: do not ever go to Israel or anywhere in the Middle East dressed any old way on the slim premise that most people will understand and excuse a woman simply because she is non-Arab. (I've also heard from Korean friends that western women wearing lowcut or uncovered shoulders can be somewhat offensive to older Koreans. So when in Rome, do as the Romans. That's respecting a culture.)
And seriously, who visits an important person in shorts? True, they turned up at the camp and invited them but she could've asked to dress properly...especially since our hero dressed properly for his disciplinary meeting. This is not just some guy on the street. And if any mucho righteous "enemy of peace" had seen her go into the embassy dressed like that...well.. heavens!
The Middle East is a pretty large region, and while I imagine countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia and now Iraq and Syria (no surprise, given the developments of the last two years) may well have clerics going around policing women, that may well not be the case in every country.
I wore (not-micro!) shorts as a tourist in Istanbul just three years ago, and I certainly don't recall any clerics hassling me or anyone else, though I was told that there were some areas of the city where I shouldn't go, as a single woman.
Maybe you weren't hassled because you're (probably) white. Or maybe you're older. If you're Black you have a whole lotta media stuff implying we are sinful.
But let us separate what we can get away with, cultural respect in nations that don't make a big deal about the hajib, and a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan a country which is very affected by the Taliban. Are you kidding me? I don't know what the UN guidelines or special forces or Korean special forces are but the Guidelines for military in Afghanistan is to wear the hajib. My sister's husband worked for UNDP and they went to Turkey. For some official reasons. And she had to wear a hajib. Also, why do we have the women in the medical unit wearing scarves when they first arrived at the unit then suddenly the scarves disappear?
Carole - I'm not sure where you get the idea that I'm white. I specifically mentioned below that I'm Indian. And have occasionally been mistaken for Arab by the unwary/airport security, so trust me, I know what it's like to be treated like a would-be criminal for having slightly darker skin.
And Istanbul is hardly as extreme as you seem to think, my own experience may not convince you but these are mostly Turkish people whose outfits are being chronicled here:
And I was under the impression that the warzone in DOTS is in a fictional country called Urk, not actual Afghanistan. They can set their own rules in the dramaverse, Middle East does not automatically = hijabs.
Respect the majority of a culture, I say. Culture is culture, law and official demands are laws and official demands. The culture should be respected by foreigners to that culture. Whether or not the law demands it. Heck, many of my moslem friends wear hajibs and they aren't in a majority-Moslem country.
Carole - hijabs are most definitely not worn by all Muslim women either - from what my friends (who are Indian like me and do not wear hijabs) tell me, they see it as a cultural thing from the Middle East and not something that applies to them, as South Asians Muslims. But there are others who view the Saudi/Arab practice as 'true' Islam and follow it as such.
Sure, my friends would not be caught dead walking down a street in hot pants but their interpretation of the stricture to dress modestly just means not wearing anything too tight or revealing in public - they don't cover their hair or anything. I guess it varies according to individual perception/influence.
About Five Children - the cast was on Happy Together and I watched 3 episodes and wanted to like it, I really did, but already I don't care about keeping up with alter love lives and their respective families. Korean families already complicated enough and the prevalence of "our rich family trumps your poor shop/restaurant family" annoys me to no end and makes me sad.
I like reading about your adventures of a judge/screener of story entries.
Yeah..sometimes you have to run away from a trope when you've had too much of it. I feel that way about "secrets." It's too much sometimes, especially in the dailies.
:-) re the stories. I've found some really great stories. The biggest problem -- other than wading through the stories when one isn't in the mood to read-- is when you have 8 or nine great stories and you have to pick the top 5. Sooooooo hard.
Not sure how I picked it up. Assumptions? Arab nations aren't the only Islamic countries, though. I assumed it was Afghanistan because the landscape reminded me of Afghanistan. But I just googled. It's supposed to be the Balkans, someplace like Sarajevo. The Balkans is a region where Christianity and Islam merge, and now there are a lot of terrorists, jihadists, arm dealers, and extremists there. So peacekeepers. But for some reason I sensed the historical presence of both religions.
Had to go check. Not sure how I picked up that assumption...or why I'd been assuming it was Afghanistan. Thanks for calling my attention to that. Turns out Urk is a fictional place in the Balkans... Not sure what the PD did or what my brain did to "see" islam.
Anyways, the Balkans has a large moslem population..so I was assuming it was the Middle East. Thanks for correcting me. Okay, my bad on the assumption of Afghanistan. But it seems to be where I got the idea of an Islamic area.
Carole, I doubt the country is "islamic". It's supposed to be some made up Eastern european Muslim country, probably a "unmentioned" Kossovo. It used to be part of the former Yugoslavia (if anyone asks what is Yugoslavia, you'll just make me feel reaaaally old).
Probably. I guess there is a difference between Islamic country and muslim country. I'll have to sort it out. At least I'm not thinking it's Afghanistan anymore.
Originally the drama had SJK jump out of an airplane and rescue some UN folks in Afghanistan so maybe that planted a seed. They filmed in Greece but, yes, it is a fictional country which I think was a smart thing to do.
RE:Cheese: Ah, PD-nim! You were either in love with our second lead (or actor playing second lead) or you disliked first lead (or actor playing first lead.) I thought your ending of this drama was like a royal f*ck-off to viewers.
Hear!hear!!
I bet PD nim was infatuated with Seo Kang Joon. But I am not sure why everyone is swooned by him. He really does look and behaves a bit air headed. In fact when he played a role that was intelligent and classy in the last drama, Hwajeong, he failed to portray the noble. His good look could not carry the drama far...( both female and male leads were wooden ) I was puzzled to see why he was chosen for the role.
I have not watched the last eps because it is the worst ending I ever come across... well, School 2015 was also bad.
Weirdly, I love airheads. And that is his charm. I don't think he's a good actor yet. But he's got time to improve.
But I wouldn't mess up a story because I wanted to help the career of an actor or make him into a leading man simply because I have a crush on him. I might be tempted to mess up a story if I totally disagreed with another writer's plotting, to undercut it in some way. But I think -- I hope-- I'd resist that.
As for bad endings, I've seen many:
Oh la la couple
Blade and Petal
Even Mirae's Choice.
And quite a few Japanese dramas that just seemed totally addicted to making the viewer miserable.
My big sorrow with this story is that the writers didn't make Gab Boon more than an "ear." All the other characters have some major purpose. But she is kinda plot exposition listener.
Can I just say I think it's the coolest thing that you judge writing contests? I love to write, myself, and have great respect for those who will read my work and give me honest feedback. I totally agree about the twists on fairytales thing, too. And repeat fiction. If your book is just like HP/Twilight/Hunger Games/LOTR 'but', then I might as well just read the original! Which is why I like Terry Pratchett--wonderfully inventive world, hilarious, and blessedly insightful.
Wow after the horrid ending of CITT I feel to tired to watch anything but I managed to watch DOTS and Signal. DOTS is quite good with episode 4 being very strong. We got to learn a lot about YSJ and his speech to KMY about his military law was amazing. The chemistry is extremely strong and I find myself loving KMY more and more.
Signal is just A+. So scared for how it is all going to end
I've only been seriously watching Six Flying Dragons these days, but out of curiosity I caught the first two episodes of Tree With Deep Roots. I didn't have patience to keep watching and I didn't want to confuse myself with it, but I can finally understand what the hype about young Sejong/Song Joong-ki was about and why some people still hate Taejong with a passion while watching SFD. Song Joong-ki portrayed the helplessness of a powerless young king so well. He's gained a new fan in me! (Although I'm still swearing off DOTS because... I think Song Hye-kyo is overrated.) Now I'm praying he gets to cameo in the last episode of SFD. Although Yoo Ah-in as his dad would be a hilarious sight to see.
Meanwhile, I'm also catching Youths Over Flowers Africa for Park Bo-gum. I cried along with him when he started to cry during his heart-to-heart talk with Ryu Jun-yeol. Ahh. But I have to say, I don't think the Reply Me boys have as much chemistry as the Iceland rocks-for-brains haha. They are just tooooo epic.
I can't wait to watch Youths Over Flowers Africa and am so happy it is being subbed. A friend and I have vrtual "Date Night" where we sync our times and watch a couple of shows together but apart on Fridays complete with face masks and drinks. We are going to watch Infinity Challenge and YOFA tonight.
So envious of you for having a friend who shares the same taste and preference for shows as you! Very often I find myself full of thoughts and opinions about a show after watching each episode but I don't have an outlet to express all my thoughts. Good thing I stumbled upon Dramabeans!
I sort of finished How I Met Your Mother, after season 7 I was burnt out and tired it just wasn't the same as the last 5 seasons so I just skipped to the finale. I'm in the minority in that I actually liked the ending even if I think they needed to do a bit more work to get to that point.
I saw a clip of Jay Leno talking to U.S. high schoolers about geography and it just made me sad, really freaking sad I just want to curl up in a ball and disappear it made me so sad.
One More Happy Ending- still waiting for Viki.
Neighborhood Hero- I may have dropped it I'm not sure yet.
Signal: It's awesome, horrifying, and also heartbreaking. Inju case was horrible (though the real case is even more horrible) and the police willingness to make such an elaborate stage for their cover story was terrifying. What kind of powerful parents that was behind that 'one boy'?
CiTT: I felt cheated. It should've become a great romcom this year and top my favourite drama list. Sigh, the what-if scenario would be never ending. Well, while I still treasure the first half alot, it's relieving to finally part way with this show.
OMHE: Ah, you cute sweet little show. I love your sweet moments and also all your antic silliness. And I especially love the way you poke fun at all those old tropes. Let's hope we'll get a satisfactory ending next week.
Signal is mesmerizing and so tension filled I find a glass of wine almost required by law when I watch.
When Korean dramas do crime drama as in 'Signal' and my late, lamented 'Last' they can really blow you away. I still watch the last episode of 'Last' when I want a little reminder of how great TV can still be.
Hi Everyone! ....... I hope you are all doing well today.
While I didn't watch Cheese In The Trap, it was certainly interesting to read about the situation that developed. It's unfortunate that things turned out as they did and that fans, viewers and the people directly involved with the project, were left frustrated and disappointed.
Watched this week:
Six Flying Dragons - Up to episode 36 and still as awesome as ever! ....... She's on screen for only a few minutes at a time, but the Cheok Sa-kwang character is fantastic and interesting to watch.
Remember - I've hung in there with poor Jin-woo and only have 2 more episodes to watch. Poor guy, what else can go wrong at this point?
Descended From The Sun - Just started this and so far, I like it. ....... Song Joong-ki certainly knows how to work that gaze of his. Big time.
One More Happy Ending - Decided to check this out also. Watched bits and pieces of the first 2 episodes. Not super great, but not super awful either. I don't think I'll be continuously watching it, but I may just check in on it now and then.
Signal - I did watch episode 1 in its entirety. It's certainly intriguing and interesting and I want to continue watching it. The thing is, I can see how this requires the viewer's complete attention and I'm not sure if I can be that dedicated to it right now.
That's all for now. ....... Everyone take care and have a great Friday!
Han Ye-ri is pretty amazing. I first saw her in The Commitment (which is an average movie, at best) and her part had barely even been mentioned in pre-release articles about the movie, but she stole the entire movie from right under T.O.P.'s nose.
I totally agree with you. That is an example of what raw talents can do. In this case, steal a whole dang show. I almost feel sorry for T.O.P to be honest.
I am kind of nervous that she is doing dramas because she is so much better than what's she is given but maybe she needs more exposure?
We have seen what raw talents and star power combined can do. It keeps actors like Song Kang Ho, Ha Jung Woo, Jeon Do-Yeon etc at the top for the rest of their acting career.
It takes confidence to have that confident sexiness without seeming to laugh at one's portrayal. Joong Ki is perfect. He's sexy and he knows it. Dang! Love me some cockiness.
So I guess the lesson of this week is don't adapt stories that don't have endings yet. Or if you do, figure out an ending that makes all the parties happy before you start filming. Because creating an intriguing set up that you have no idea how to resolve is a recipe for disaster. Especially if you literally throw your heroine under the bus in the final episodes and take away all of her agency. I can live with open endings. I can live with unhappy endings. I can't live with an ending where the protagonist gets no say in what happens to her.
On the other hand, I'm very sad that Six Flying Dragons is down to its final episodes. Unlike many viewers, I actually get where all of the characters are coming from, and really appreciate the fact that the show has refused to provide easy heroes and villains. Regime change is messy, and it's refreshing to see a show that acknowledges that there are no simple solutions that provide utopia for everyone.
I generally like the fact that Asian television shows have definite endings, as opposed to dragging out over multiple seasons, but there are certainly stories like CITT that would have benefited from more episodes or a second season, rather than trying to force an ending that feels rushed and unorganic to the material and relationships.
I actually really hate seasonal tv series except for the procedural one and a couple season for comedy but Kdrama rarely adapt on-going story so they caught in the middle this time,
If they had season series, I hope it can stop in number 3, I can't take 10 season seriously anymore
Anime frequently adapts stories without endings yet sometimes they go multiple seasons, sometimes they make their own, sometimes they just end. Regardless of what happens they rarely face the kind of criticism Cheese in the Trap had and when they do it's usually because of going multiple seasons and adding endless filter.
Cheese in the Trap - this cheese was so great at first, then it started to stink.
And then it started to REALLY stink, and there were some who claimed it was supposed to be a stinky cheese anyway and we just couldn't appreciate the merits of a good stinky cheese. But we can smell the difference between a great ripe French cheese and a cheese that has just been taken over by mould.
Too burned by this to watch any more airing kdramas, though I want to give Page Turner a shot when it finally gets here, for the sake of Ji-soo and Kim So-hyun. And I'll finish out Signal - thank god it has a PD who didn't get drunk on his own hype.
I may start East of Eden this week because I want to se more Park Hae-jin on my screen. But I wish I could find sources that play decent-quality video and are actually available to stream in my area :(
East of Eden had quite many tropes and the usual Song Seung-heon *super serious* face but dammit it was so addictive. And it was reminiscent of old-school Korean dramas.
CITT is finally over ... It was my first time live watching and commenting on DB and it was a complete hoot! It kind of took over my real life. Thank you guys for making it such a wonderful experience
Out of the current on air shows, i'm only watching DOTS. Nice and breezy. It hasn't got its hooks into me and thats a plus. I just don;t have any energy left after CITT
Can i ask for some recommendations here? I want to watch some historicals. I have just seen 'faith' partially and QIH's Man.
I'm looking for something that not more than 30 episodes long and something preferably recent like post 2010 bec i like good production visuals. Any ideas please ???
The Princess' Man : 24 ep , 2011 : super romantic, romeo juliet in Saeguk, when 2 opposite ministers's son and daughter fall in love and fight for their life, and happy ending as bonus, cast : moon chae won and park shi hoo The Moon That Embraces the Sun ; 20 ep, 2012 : the story is romantic, a king who longed for his 1st love that mysteriously kill because of palace conspiracy , cast : kim soo hyun, han ga in, jung il woo Arang and the Magistrate; 16 ep, 2012 : cute but full of mystery and well executed story about a magistrate that can see ghost and a virgin ghost that forget her life, they together uncover the secret of life and death cast : Shin Min Ah, Lee Jun Ki and God Yoo Seung Woo (literally play as heaven emperor) Chuno, 24 ep, 2010 : heart tugging story about a slave hunter who chases a woman he loves . . top the end of the world, cast : lee da hae, jang hyuk Sungkyungkwan Scandal, 20 ep; 2010 ; the Josen F4 is cute toghether, cast : yoo chun, yoo ah in, song jong ki, park min young
maybe it's 2008, but it's good
Hong Gil Dong : 24 episode ; 2008 : super funny and it's really good, cast; kang jihwan, jang geun seuk
I'm on episode 5 of Chuno. The cinematography is really beautiful which elevates the drama's distinctive visual style. A rocking OST as the theme song. I have a feeling I'm in for a world of heartache and pain (which is one of the reasons I held off watching it for so long).
The pain is real,
I feel like Chuno make me exhausting since they keep running and running and running when I don't know where the feeling I invested will get paid.
I second Sancheezy's recs of The Princess' Man, Arang and the Magistrate and Sungkyunkwan Scandal. Adding a few of my own:
Three Musketeers: 12 eps (2014) yes, it's based on the Dumas novel but adapted to a Joseon setting. It's action-packed and hilarious, and does a good job of staying suspenseful. Also, great performances by Lee Jin-wook and Seo Hyun-jin, and a pretty good one by Jung Yong-hwa.
Tree with Deep Roots (2011): - this is like a prequel to Six Flying Dragons, and stars Song Joong-ki as the young King Sejong. Top-notch acting all around.
Splash Splash Love: 2 eps (2015) The story of a 21st-century high school senior who time travels through a puddle of water, all the way back to the era of a young King Sejong. Who thinks she is a eunuch. And only doesn't chop off her head because she's better at maths than he is, and he insists on being taught.
It's adorable, quirky and heartfelt, and the chemistry between Yoon Doo-joon and Kim Seul-gi is FIRE.
Bonus movie rec: War of the Arrows (2011). Utterly fantastic chase movie set during the second Manchu invasion of Korea, and is about a brother trying to save his sister who's been taken as a slave by the Manchus.
My favorite D-Drama is "history of a salaryman." (It's not historical. But I found it by accident and wasn't expecting anything. However, I still like it.)
I also loved "The Princess's Man. However, lots of people don't like the real life person who played the male lead. I watched it before his real life drama, however. It's a solid drama.
Thank you all for so many reccs. I used to think that historicals = 50 episodes saga. So many shows , so little time. What a wonderful problem to have !!
@Pogo -> i ended up watching splash yesterday. And it is the cutest thing ever. Thank you for pointing it out to me. How i wish it was longer!
On another note, we also got to watch a really good Jdrama from years past ... Orange Days ... if you haven't seen it, you should. I really do think Kdramas can learn a lessoon from Japan with their shorter dramas.
On the one hand I'd like to see a Kdrama version, but I know they'd over do the melodrama and completely skip over the real message about acceptance, fear and growth.
Hi Beanies,
I only have a few minutes this morning, typical Friday with a special day trip planned. Last week we went to the Alabama Hills for my birthday. Amazing place. This week we're off to try to catch a glimpse of the Sierra Bighorn Sheep in the next canyon. They should be calving soon.
Only watching:
Descendants of the Sun--Love it, despite all the K-drama dramatic license. Song Joong-ki is the cutest thing. I am delighted with every close up. The stare! I will watch it to the end just to get my SJK fix.
One More Happy Ending--The story is still too angsty for me to enjoy it. I love the leads together though. They look real. Excellent acting. I've started not to care about all the side stories. They are moving along too slowly.
We Got Married--Last the last Ohye episode this past week and cried. And then after the show was over,I still cried off and on. I know I loved that couple, but I really think the continued crying was about the opportunity to cry. So now I have no reason to watch WGM. The new PD seems to want to make it more of a game show, which I find boring. I really loved how the Ohye couple wasabout the developing relationship. I mean, the went to couples' counseling for Pete's sake.
No comments on drama, but will like to share that my So Eun has joined ( I hope it is confirmed ) Will Entertainment , similar with Lee Jin Wook & Kang Sora. I hope this year will open a door of success for her. please dramaland be fair to my princess ??? at least a little shine on her career.
I will pray for her success in a new journey.. ❤❤❤
I find Baek In Na amazing. She's able to breakdown the door using a fire extinguisher. LOL.. never seen a kdrama character (male or female) ever done that, maybe it's normal in any OCN series but im a romcom girl.. so yeah...
Maybe im generalizing but one thing for sure an adaption of a still running manhwa/webtoon always end up in a mess. Example Goong.. sighhhh... i practically rewrote the last 2 eps in my head
Cheese Fondue – I can’t remember how far back I stopped being on anyone’s side. I just didn’t want to be involved anymore. Maybe that’s what CITT did best – not being a black and white kdrama that made caring about a particular character(s) a clear and easy choice. Instead of rooting for Seol, In Ho, In Ha, or Jung, they all ultimately disappointed me that I just left them to their own devices. I had been caught up in considering each perspective as it was unveiled and allowed my emotions to be swayed episode after episode for a long time. By the time we got to the last 2 episodes this week I had stepped back enough to watch from the corner of my eye and could look away at will, even when the poisonous family imploded. In the end, they all stood in a circle, looked to the person on their right, and (I’m paraphrasing) said the same thing: “I’m sorry, I can’t undo the past, let’s part ways, this is the best I can do.” This actually let me wish them all well which, in the last 3 or 4 minutes (and a 3 year jump), happened. Best tip: bring along books, laptop, and dictionary on couples trip. You never know when you might want to “study.”
Moorim School – Are the 3.4 people watching it reading this? If so, please check out my recaps (click owl) ~ how many times and how many people have had the fire flashback? Never has a kdrama gotten so much mileage out of a scene, that’s for sure.
Come Back, Ahjussi – Rain, how low can you go (the camera, that is, on that body of his).
I watched Penny Pinchers (movie) which was a great segue to Descendants of the Son. DOTS has the feel of an old-fashioned war love story. It is quite charming.
So many shows to watch. So little time to do so. I've been waiting for Song Joong Ki, er, I mean DoTS and Ahjussi seems really interesting. But I've already got 3 dramas on my plate(too much for me and my attention span). That is good though. I want to stay away from live-watching after the whole Cheese brouhaha. TvN has a knack for buzzy endings lol.
Border - I love it! I don't know why I thought I wouldn't like it when I loved Conan so much. When I look up Jdoramas, they seem so uninteresting. Then I watch them. Then I eat my words and fall in love.
Cheese In The Trap - Don't know if I can watch the last three eps. But I will.
Marry Me or Not? - I think I like it. It took a while for me to adjust to it. I've only *actively* watched one other tw-drama and that one taught me that one should not be guilty for ff-ing. I really like the heroine and the romance is awesome. But I just can't seem to know whether they're going for comedy or for drama. I'm left confused and most times I feel disconnected.
Next on my list is Signal. I'll settle with two eps a week as others have recommended. Thanks to those beanies, I have realized why I couldn't stomach another ep of Punch after 10 or so eps. I loved it but I shouldn't have binge-watched it. Lesson learned. And I shall someday return to it.
I loved it too, it started out good but then became sheer brilliance as it went on. That's such a rare experience in dramas.... and Oguri Shun turned in one hell of a performance.
<When I look up Jdoramas, they seem so uninteresting.
I never go by descriptions of jdramas. They can sound insanely dull ("This drama is about five young people watching paint drying") but be riveting. I go by writers + actors mainly.
Cheese: Sounds like a PD went rogue. Like a bull in a china shop. What a shame.
Glamorous Expectations: Subs are trickling in. Mi Rae awakes. Prime Minister has spells where dementia is setting in. Il Ju is trying to fool the PM while he's confused. Stay tuned.
Signal: The show I wait for every week. A+ work from cast and crew.
Dots: Pretty but not on my list although I watched 2 eps. Hope Kim Ji-won takes the sageuk with Taek. That would be pretty cute.
CBA: Like it so far, behind on latest ep.
C dramas: Imperial Doctress 2 Royal bros love the same girl.
Chronicle of Life: Royal & his BFF love the same girl, amnesia strikes girl but now she remembers,
Go Princess Go: LOL. Crazy
J dramas:
Gisou no fuufu: watched 1st ep. Amami Yuki can play eerie, slightly off center characters so well.
Imperial doctress : I confess that I read too many spoiler from weibo and I really like the emperor, I do
Chronicle of Life : she remember? when? I just watch until ep 11 and I find it really funny when Kangxi-the emperor can't stand his concubines affection, all I read in his face is " too much girl, too much girl"
have you watched Bu Bu Jin Xin? cause it kinda show how their story will end, I still hope for a happy last episode though
Go Princess Go : when someone travel to ancient time, their name just change from Zhang Peng to Zhang Peng Peng, I love their crazyness
The actresses playing Peng Peng and Baby are just too much. PP is forever flirting with her. I heard China was making changes as far as what is acceptable topics in dramas and movies . Don't know the details but this is somewhat racy as far as dramas go, although this was a web drama. I did see that the authorities did yank Addiction, has it come back ? While Addiction isn't my cup of tea it's a shame that there is that sort of censorship.
Oh I really like Peng Peng act to Baby, s/he doesn't even care, s/he just said but Baby never understood anything.
The 9th prince and yang yang also a couple for me, they are ridiculously close.
I heard about the restriction too, they censored lots of thing about gay behaviour, but as I remember it wasn't finalized.
The law that get accepted is about : time travel in story shouldn't change history.
The censorship is become crazier I think, they cut the kiss and the lust scene in Hua Qian Gu: The Journey of flower when it was very important scene cause the immortal teacher finally show that he has human desire, for god sake, I hate when they did it, it's connected to the story
I wonder if Korea will make changes to their dramas to fit the new China rules? Since China is such a big market-although can they abide by the "no drinking" rule in Korea?
From little clips that I see of Glamorous, the Il Ju character just cracks me up. I don't think I've ever seen the actor who plays Il Ju, but he seems to be enjoying every minute of that role.
You mean octopus head -Il Ju's man. I have seen him in a few dramas, usually as gangster and like. From what I have seen, this is the most significant (and nicest) character he's played. I love Il Ju and him in GT.
oops big time. Il-ju is prime minister's daughter. Il-ju's man is Kwon Moo-hyuk who is ambiguous character (is he evil or not?), but I think I read he was enjoying his role (got the award too for his role last year).
I'm so happy you mentioned Gisou. I hope you like it. Personally I thought it was like watching theatre.
It's weird what you mentioned about Glamorous since these weeks, subs are coming (thank God in lightening speed).
I already finished with subs Chronicle and in spite of all problems, it was fine. What I'm starting to appreciate in C-dramas is that what you see is what you get. No unpleasant surprises, no rabbits from the hat.
Imperial seems to be improving but subs are soooo slow. Frankly I'm not "shipping" for either "majesties", one is beginning to get, well, crazy and the other has a good wife. If I were her, I'd take the good looking Mongolian.. LOL...
Have you tried watching Descendants of the Sun? If you're a fan of the writer's works (Secret Garden, Heirs, Gentleman's Dignity) then I would definitely recommend this one. I have a love/hate relationship with her dramas, but I'm on board with this one so far. It's most likely going to be one of the biggest dramas of the year, and the chemistry of Song Hye-kyo and Song Joon-ki are amazing.
I'm with you. Not watching anything. And don't want to watch DoTS, because I'm allergic to the writer and the actors are not on my must-watch list (i.e. in the right drama I might watch some of them).
CHEESE IN THE TRAP - I don't get why everyone is pissed, They can't give away the ending out of respect for soonki 's request since the webtoon is not done , and there's no way Inho is end game,so open end
except
?
he read her mail?,we heard seol ah...to me it's pretty clear they find their way back together. What is annoying is Jung missing at the very end and even more annoying is the Special that was supposed to have unaired scenes but it was just bts that we already watched.
Come back Mister is sooo entertaining. The story doesn't quite make sense; lots of plot holes and logical fails. But it has tons of heart and the characters are all awesome! Oh Yeon Seo is so funny and great as Han Hong Nan. Her story is a lot more engaging to me (probably the closest you can get to see 2 female characters' romantic storyline on a public broadcast channel in Korea), and her acting is top-notch (you believe that she is possessed by a grumpy gangster ajussi!) Rain went to town with the physical comedy - how I've missed him in comedy! It sucks that it has to go head to head with Descendants of the Sun - I'm sure that drama is good, but after being burned by Kim Eun Sook so many times I'm not sure if I'm ready to take another leap of faith. Hope Come back Mister will continue to be good and achieve cult status ^^
I'm enjoying Come Back Ahjussi as well! I think because the Father-Daughter relationship got to me on the first episode, and not having watched Oh Yeon Seo before I love her portrayal as a grumpy old man. I'm hoping the best so far for this one, since it is going toe-to-toe with DoTS which I'm watching as well and enjoying for different reasons.
Oh Yeon Seo is the best! I watched Jang Bo-ri, that long weekend family drama where she was the heroine. She overacted there. And She did Shine, or go Crazy with Jang Hyuk, and I thought she was believable as woman-pretending-man. I think she is good at overacting.
I was so busy I forgot Open Thread. I was looking for pictures and stories of Sea monsters. Vodjannõi, Umibozu, tritons, water centaurs, leviathans and all kind of weird creature. We are having a workshop on the 12th of march in Fat Margaret tower, the Maritime Museum, and drawing sea monsters in ink and colored pencils.
But this is important, really: I think I might have become a sasaeng? Help? I mean there is this singer, a very young an sweet one, with a silky low voice. He is participating in our Eurovision National Selection and just released the video for his song, and I was at the event you know the presentation, and I got so damn flustered, I wanted to take a picture like a total fan girl and I messed up the settings and had to fundle with my camera in front of everyone, and I just... I think I looked like a middle aged lunatic. and then I sent a tweet like the second I got home, some stupid bla-bla-bla what to do, this is not normal. but I mean, I send messages to all the bands I like so... it is probably not serious? right? I still have hope?
how are you as a fan? that´s the question today, if anyone still reads this.
how are you as a fan?- I did only once. I did fan-girling once for Bi/Rain when I watched 'Sangdoo Let's go to school'. I put his picture on the refrig, and my family laughed at me. I was ridiculed. Thank god, it didn't last long. I got over him around the time 'Full house' came along.
oh my! You've got it bad! I think it's just one of those human things.. we can't help but like some people..and then, well, "act out." I hope he writes you back.
Caroleeeee..... ! Noooo. do you really think... I am...
my hope: many guys, also guys over thirty, are among his avid fans as well. even a rap musician tweets him regularly (how do I know? how do you think...)
It´s just my way though. I don´t follow actors or artists like that, but music turns me slightly crazy.
as to dramas, I have so many things to do and if I can´t concentrate, I cannot watch especially dramas like Signal - I tune in, and then something comes up and I have to pause and it is just not working. all good though... and still there are no subbed episodes of Youth over Flowers Africa!!!
When i was 6, my mom took me to a Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back signing event ... Darth Vader and C3P0 was there ... I slept with the poster on my bed for days.
I know. I am not even sure if I would go "OPPAAAA!" or just raise my eyebrow and ask suspiciously: "SHIN Se Gi?" in a very high pitch voice. Or if I would just cling to him like a koala and shout: "I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!"
My understanding is that you only cross the sasaeng line when the following becomes literal :-) . However, I'll be sure to keep an eye on the Estonian Eurovision entry this year, just out of curiosity :-p
About your question, I am not the sasaeng type (even if I lived within stalking distance of anyone), but I would probably make a big exception for Korean artists if they showed up around here. I don't want to imagine a DoTS situation :-)
well, the voting is on now, I am twweting and campaigning like a crazy person and using all the aegyo I still have left. Wish with all yur might Jüri Pootsmann would win, the world needs to hear him! his voice is a dream!
OK, for the first time in a really, really long time I watch all dramas in Wed-Thu program.
Descendants: God, I have so many problems with the writer as usual but she always makes me giggle or hold my breath. By the way, what's up with the church? All interior shots under a cross? Makes me feel sacriligeous for having hoped for a kiss in there but thankfully came in the hotel. And come on, in the same episode you have coffee in mountainous Arahova and walk in the beach of the shipwreck in Zakynthos? Really? Though I've seen in a Bollywood movie the actor going from Mykonos to Athens in a car. In a convertible car! And why did I not go over there to David McInnis and my beloved Song Joong-Ki? WHY?
Come back Mister: I loved it! Really, truly, honestly. But there are so many personages there, such a zany rythm, so many stories and as the drama had the back luck to face off Descendants, I fear it's bound to get sour. God, I hope it doesn't.
I finished Chronicle from cdramas and I have to admit that the treat of my week was Bromance Episode 19, the recap. That drama was the epitome of "whatever", but so much fun.
Time to get back to Glamorous more actively since, sniff, I Have a Lover ended. Oh show, your faithful fan will miss you very much. You were so worth my time.
Well this is totally not drama related but I still want to share....I signed up for a Korean-English language exchange in my hometown. I figure, I have some down time so might as well get better with another language and of course, I chose Korean. I've contacted a few people, hoping someone gets back to me!!! I sound crazy, but I'm SO EXCITED to have a REAL LIVING (possible) friend who is (hopefully) into Kdrama's as much as me!!
Thank you to all of you that mentioned take care of my refrigerator with Jung joon young a few threads ago, I hadnt watched the variety show before and I really liked it! Plus Lee sun kyun starred in the next eoisode , my friends still tease me about Pasta! I really hope he makes a drama comeback soon or releases an audiobook... ?
WGM- ah man oh yeah couple, what a perfect way to end the virtual marriage. I hope they end up going on that trip together. I know I mentioned in the last thread, that iwoudnt watch the show anymore.
But song ji hyo and bolin Chen, so curious to what it would be like. Does anyone know the best pace to watch the episodes and when it will be aired?
Madam Antoine ???
One more happy ending - so plesed that da Jung and her husband are making a go of it. Also is ae-rans husband acting like a bad guy to keep
Her interested, or was he like that from the start and pretended to be a nice guy.
Signal , really good, very behind as I don't have the energy or time to watch it. Plus my only drama watching is in the evening, not the best thing to watch before bed.
ROTS - will be heartbroken when seojun and soeon have to leave the show!!! Sarang's departure will be sad, but it's a good time for her to leave before she starts school properly.
Cheer up adjussi, hilarious, thank you db for creating the drama hangout!
Heh! You and me both on Lee Sun Kyun. Fell super hard after Pasta. Hoping against hope he'd make a drama comeback. It's looking less and less likely everyday.
Yes Miss Korea was great and I still listen to the OST, I think it aired in 2013 so surely its time for Sunkyun to make a drama comeback. I'm looking forward to watching Sung Min's drama Memory when it airs.?
I hav alrdy commntd....but I cant see it...is it deleted...I didn't share any link or anything....
I'm currently watching only CBA. its really really funny and good. atleast for now. even 4 eps are too early to say whether a drama is good
I couldn't watch last 2 eps of cheese...and i dropped MA and Neighbourhood Lawyer midway. maybe I will go bak once they finished the series. I am also waiting for signal to finish.
I hav a thing or two for thrillers and action dramas with a tiny bit of romance. I hav alrdy watchd VAm Pr 1&2 sp af ten, healer, missing noir, ghost seeing det, iris 1, Dr frost, who r u, hidn idnty, bad gys, my beautiful brd, LMFD, liar game, u r all surrounded, punch, nice guy....if hav missed anything worth seeing plz suggest...
I tried city hunter but couldn't finish....i also wanted to see so ji sub's ghost but the pairing in the final ep turned me off. I heard its pretty gud...somebdy plz convinc me.
also pls suggest something that is not too melo and cheesy
Like bips99, CIIT was my first live to air drama and my first time commenting on DB in the CIIT recap comments.
I enjoyed the discussions! After my disappointmental with CIIT, I binge watched Secret Garden for the feels. And I am wary about starting another live to air series.
This weekend, I will finish ep.9, 10 and 11 of Bad Guys and try to get through ep 1 of Ruler of the World. This will be my 3rd time on episode 1.
Just stopped by to see what's up. Still not watching any dramas aside from skimming through DB's recaps of CITT (seemed to have dodged that bullet and saved me 16 hours). Back is still hurting. Can't stand for more than 5 minutes. Hurts to sit and lie down unless I find some magical sweetspot. lol The biggest pain by far is my insurance company though. lmao
Oh, yeah, got totally hooked on this variety show called Produce 101. So I've been battling it out with a bunch of teenyboppers, trying to decide who would be best idol material. LOL My life's so pathetic right now. LOL
Nothing new this week, really. I officially have housing for college, will find out in a week about Sterling Scholar, and finished watching I Hear Your Voice two nights ago. So good. :) So so good.
Signal=Love
Big Man: I actually really, really liked the first two episodes. A lot. It takes some suspension of disbelief to handle the 'we want your heart so you're our son now' bit, but I actually really enjoyed it.
Anyway, I only really wanted to post this week I haven't been able to stop thinking about the teasers for Memory. Holy cow, they were amazing. I keep going back to the moment he's on the pier, and the water seems to bleed together until he's just... lost in grayish blue. So so good. I don't want Signal to end (ah it hurts my heart just to think it), but I'm hopeful that Memory will be good.
I have been watching kdramas for a few years now (ever since taking a World Television class in grad school), but I almost never watch shows live so I can't post here. I finally had some time to live-watch and started with CITT. Boy did I get burned!! There are a few lessons to be learned by other production teams\PDs from this mess so I hope they do such as: Don't forget the audience. Just because you get distracted by a pretty butterfly (Seo Kang Joon\Baek In Ho), you don't have the right to self indulgently hijack your own show and change it from the story that was promised to viewers to begin with. Also, don't start judging your characters and the audience by extension. I think one reason people - including myself - were so angry is that it seemed we were being judged and then punished for being sympathetic to Yoo Jung. This annoys me more than anything.
Oh well, moving on. I saw a good Korean film recently which is a rarity. I only watch Korean films because I know the actors from dramas, but I usually don't like them. However, I went to a screening hosted by Dramafever of the movie Like for Likes and I enjoyed it. The movie is a lightweight rom-com about three couples, but it manages the task of being genuinely funny throughout. I liked all three couples and they each had unique stories. The cast for the movie is fantastic - Yoo Ah In, Lee Mi Yeon, Kim Joo Hyuk, Choi Ji Woo, Kang Ha Neul and Esom. It will be on Dramafever (premium) in a few months in case people can't catch it in theaters.
as another dissappointed viewer of CIIT, I thought a lot to try to accept the weird ending as makes sense as possible. So I came to this conclusion... maybe, just maybe... CIIT is actually the prekuel of Bad Guys. You see... in CIIT Dad planted the seeds of psychopathic to Jung. and then Jung (who added 'moon' to his name, so he's Jung Moon now), became the real psychopath. lol.
I've watched so many kdramas, and a few Chinese and Japanese ones too, this year, having been a newbie before that. I don't really like the sageuks but the ones I've liked have been real fusion with resourceful heroines. I'm looking for one now. Can anyone recommend something in the vein of these ones:
Shine or Go Crazy - that smart, resourceful businesswoman/princess
Prince of LanLing - same only she's a scientist
Perfect Couple - same except she's a commoner martial artist
Gu Family Book - also good with arms
Sungkyung (sp) Scandal - really enjoyed her character
The above are about the only kind of sageuks I enjoy. Pure fun, great love stories, and resourceful women. Please let me know if there are some gems I might have missed along this vein.
The obvious one is Empress Ki, if you haven't seen it yet; 50 episodes, but you won't notice. Unlike in most shorter Kdramas, she is a strong character who stays strong throughout. I think "pure fun, great love stories and resourceful women" is exactly the plot description :-)
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1 Jon G.
March 4, 2016 at 6:06 AM
My dear Beanie-nims ...
Rejoice! I know my grumpy nitpicking and arrogating hostility did offend many enthusiastic DB-followers and commenters in the past. Finally, these days are (temporarily?) over!
I have to take a break from K-drama and, in consequence, from DB. Don't relax too much though, I will still occasionally keep an eye on the comments here, and if eventually a show gets mentioned with the same kind of enthusiasm as "Misaeng" or "Grapevine" -- both of which I only picked up thanks to you guys -- I cannot promise you that I'll be able to resist a potential comeback. Better be prepared!
It's been a great time (to me! Your milage may vary of course.) I'll definitely miss at least some of you ;)
Jeosonghaeyo; gamsahaeyo; annyeonghi gyeseyo.
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neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
March 4, 2016 at 6:11 AM
Ohnooo. I will certainly miss your comments ;)
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 6:19 AM
Oh no I know people will miss your very intelligent, insightful comments.
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 6:21 AM
Noooo! Anday!!!!!
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pebble
March 4, 2016 at 6:26 AM
annyeong Jon! I Agree with fan, your sharp-witted and critically honest comments will surely be missed by many! :)
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Wag-a-muffin
March 4, 2016 at 6:28 AM
Your health is more important than my enjoying what you write. (Only a little bit, though, mind you, since I really ENJOY what you write. And was your ally in the "Grape Vine is awesome" comments.)
Go ahead. Take a break and rejuvenate. We'll be here when you get back.
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Growingbeautifully
March 4, 2016 at 6:36 AM
Take care of yourself well Jon G. I liked your cynical tongue-in-cheek humour and dry remarks. Read ya again!
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korfan
March 4, 2016 at 6:38 AM
Jon G. -
You'll be missed.
Take care and come back and join us when you can.
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nomad
March 4, 2016 at 6:57 AM
Waeeee??? What ever it is though Jon G, I'll miss your comments and good luck with your endeavor!
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August
March 4, 2016 at 7:33 AM
Oh no. I'll definitely miss reading your posts and the engaging conversation & sharp wit from your comments. Take a rest and take care of yourself Jon G. Hope to see you comeback around here soon again. :)
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Kiara
March 4, 2016 at 7:43 AM
If you happen to successfully find a cure for K-drama addiction please let me know. I'm still here even when there is nothing much for me to watch.
Enjoy your break :).
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 7:47 AM
oh noooooo!
I hope it's nothing serious that takes you away from us, and I'll really miss your comments - I really appreciated the thoughts - thoughtfulness, grumpiness, snark and all.
(and count me in on the Misaeng+Grapevine fan club, I'm still convinced those dramas were the best of their respective years)
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Kiara
March 4, 2016 at 8:02 AM
"Grapevine" is my latest drama love to date (thanks to you). Misaeng and Punch are closely behind. Nothing else has really grab me yet.
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Gidget
March 4, 2016 at 10:02 AM
I almost never come to this thread. And today, to find this bit of sad news for us. Bummer. You're always a good, informative read.
Hoping your hiatus from KDs can be disrupted by a really good show, sometime soon. :-)
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redfox
March 4, 2016 at 10:51 AM
I am confused.... when did you ever say anything arrogant or hostile... compared to some of my posts at least.
take a rest, I hope all is fine
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alua
March 4, 2016 at 11:46 AM
Who will I agree with then?
Or who will agree with me?
I'm watching zero K-dramas myself at the moment though, I'm waiting for another Misaeng. (Grapevine I still have saved up, much fortunately.)
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pigsnout
March 4, 2016 at 7:09 PM
I am sorry to hear this, goodbye and do well @Jon G!
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gaeinalee
March 5, 2016 at 2:28 AM
I'll miss reading your comment, Jon. Please take good care of you. Looking forward to see you up and around again, whenever you feel like it.
Be healthy and happy, Jon~!
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Delurker
March 5, 2016 at 5:36 AM
Just want to join the chorus: hope all is well and that you will come back soon; who is going to keep us grounded when we get carried away by a pretty face? :-)
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Jon G.
March 6, 2016 at 12:38 AM
Thank you all!
I'm okay, I'm healthy, in fact I'm much healthier than I deserve to be considering my lifestyle.
My decision to give up (on) K-drama comes down to the very unappealing current state of K-drama (now that I lost my faith in tvN). At the same time, I'm busy with the start of a new project in my professional field, which -- right now -- is much more interesting than facepalming in front of the TV screen ...
I wish you all the best (you'll probably need it)!
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2 pebble
March 4, 2016 at 6:07 AM
Though I could understand why netizens are unhappy about the deviation of CITT from the webtoon, still, it is a kdrama, so we can’t blame the PD for bringing in the formulaic love triangle to spice things up a bit. But it was quite bizarre that Yoo Jung-Seol couple scenes were being dropped at the expense of developing In Ho’s arc, which constituted a great disservice to Seo Kang-Joon due to the snowballing hatred against IH and his piano. This is the first time in the history of Kdrama land when an instrument playing prince charming got shafted. While a violin playing Kim Hyun-Joong (Yoon Ji-hoo) in Boys Over Flowers who was a real contender in the love triangle involving Gu Jun-pyo and Geum Jan-di, and who was also given a lot more screen time than the original manga Hana Yori Dango, could earn himself quite a big fan following. All that pitiful IH got was hatred from CITT fans even though his love was only one-sided unrequited love. He may be better off by himself in a drama called Successful story of a Bright Boy/Piano Boy or something like that, than to come in between YJ-S and got himself embroiled in the messy controversy surrounding CITT.
Again, despite its ultra-modern façade, South Korea is still quite a conservative society at its core, therefore, it is understandable that the PDs of free to air tv programs have reservation about sending the wrong subliminal messages out to viewers. I’m no expert in Mass Comm 101, but didn’t we see in The Producers that PDs were being summoned to a media regulating authority for interrogation even when there was only the slightest inappropriateness in their programs? So CITT PD might have asked YJ to bear the brunt of his sociopathic behaviour for the sake of upholding “social responsibility”, and his “happy ever after ending” with Seol was purposely not made explicit as it would send the wrong message to girls that it is trendy behaviour to put up with a manipulative and narcissistic boyfriend. And because it did not have the capacity to delve into the domain of mental health like It’s Ok, It’s Love, we did not get to see how YJ sorted out his “disorder”. So the end result is a flawed adaptation of CITT. By dangling the cheese webtoon to get viewers enticed into a messy trap, no wonder CITT fans felt betrayed.
The CITT webtoon does feel a bit too “avant garde” to me, forgive me for my old-fashioned thinking, to borrow Javabean’s words, I’m a first generation Hallyu 1.0 fan, when Prince Charmings were still charming and cell phones folded in the middle, and the prince charming usually can play piano too! (eg. Jin-heon in Lovely Sam Soon, Song-joo in Stairway to Heaven, Joon-Sang in Winter Sonata, etc). The only Korean Manhwa I ever read was the simple and unsophisticated Pape Popo Memories and Pape Popo Together by Sim Sung-Hyun:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucUsZEJSlPk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-VRYdkAopY
https://www.youtube...
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pebble
March 4, 2016 at 6:09 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gn4k8Elrps
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korini
March 4, 2016 at 10:20 AM
You're right about Boys over Flowers and the violins and the nonsense (which I love). Apparently either times are changed and audience need substance, or In Ho in CIIT was not as "hot" as the boys in Boys over Flowers, OR it's just a case of massive hysteria (by the way your comment about Mass Comm sent me years back to when I was a Media and Communication student, so thank you).
And though I had huge objections about It's OK it's love, this is not a similar case. The character here was a slighlty disturbed post-adolescent with a whole life ahead of him to get better, not a schizophrenic in his '30s. And that drama was meant to be a "tragedy", not a "deconstructed" rom-com.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 8:28 AM
didn’t we see in The Producers that PDs were being summoned to a media regulating authority for interrogation even when there was only the slightest inappropriateness in their programs?
Oh, I very much doubt that was what happened with Cheese - KBS is a public broadcast channel, and well known to be the most conservative of the Big 3 in Korea (hence the jokes about their PDs getting pulled up for everything). And even they managed to air Discovery of Love and Nice Guy without a hitch.
tvN, otoh, is cable - and much like in the US, cable is not nearly as beholden to censoring authorities for 'morals'. I definitely don't think what happened to Cheese can be pinned on any external/regulatory authorities, it's all on the production/drama team itself.
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windsun33
March 4, 2016 at 9:44 AM
KBS is government owned, and is pretty much forced to follow the ultra-conservative line, no matter how dumb it is at times.
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korini
March 4, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Is KBS really public television? I always had the impression that everything is privatised in South Korea. Anyhow I have no idea how "goverment owned" channels work in Asia, but in Europe public television is competitive (BBC, RAI, TVE etc) and usually much better than private networks.
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pebble
March 4, 2016 at 3:47 PM
Yeah, I also had the impression that everything is privatised in SK. I actually meant "public access tv", and typed "free to air" instead. Well, it was just my 2 cents, I've no inkling regarding how tv regulation works in SK, but was quite taken aback when PDs were summoned for interrogation by the authority in The Producers, oh, was that meant to be a joke of some kind?
kalel
March 4, 2016 at 9:40 PM
I agree. Europe's public TV and the American PBS have raised the bar too high for all the private networks in terms of quality.
windsun33
March 5, 2016 at 8:55 AM
KBS and MBC as of the end of 2105 are still government owned. https://books.google.com/books?id=kDfuCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA831&lpg=PA831&dq=who+owns+kbs&source=bl&ots=7MAceh5SDZ&sig=qSWm_0CP-9sed9Sq44hLOtffh2Y&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjttOaSgarLAhUN1GMKHSq3AcYQ6AEIQDAF#v=onepage&q=who%20owns%20kbs&f=false
alua
March 4, 2016 at 11:54 AM
<it is a kdrama, so we can’t blame the PD for bringing in the formulaic love triangle to spice things up a bit
They are a rare species but there are kdramas, romantic ones at that, that have no love triangle. It's Okay It's Love that you mention being one of them.
Given CITT's general unconventionality and the fact that the very beloved webtoon did not have this triangle, it could have easily ditched the love triangle trope – it never needed it for "spice" to begin with.
I personally believe that this drama was the perfect candidate to "break the rules", also considering the fact that it didn't even air on public TV but cable.
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Guess
March 4, 2016 at 3:21 PM
I kinda agree with you on some points and I just don't understand why Tv-channels are so conversative in SK while the Media is in turmoil perhaps they should correct the media first. aside from that it was unnecessary leaving the guidelines of the original webtoon to force a love triangle. I think what happened was that the PD was BOF-inspired they also aired there premier on the same day as BOF just 7-years later and it didn't really work out for them because they left the guidelines of the original webtoon something BOF didn't do but made small changes for adaptation and mostly cultural once but it ended up as very bad for CITT especially for a fan like me who really loved the series and the webtoon even more.
I feel sorry for In-ha because it's not his fault but sadly will have to carry that burden for a long time now since not only korea but in general the Koreaboo fans and the K-fans do share same thoughts in my opinion and don't forget things easily
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3 Alex
March 4, 2016 at 6:08 AM
Happy Friday, everyone!
I'm really looking forward to seeing Jang Geun-seok again - he hasn't had the best of luck in choosing dramas, but he's a great actor when he gets to stretch his acting chops. I was so sorry to see that tax thing - that he evidently wasn't even involved in personally - drag him down, and I hope this drama is good and gives him some fresh exposure!
Come Back Ajusshi is the only drama I'm really watching right now.
I fell behind on Cheese and then decided not to catch up again on reading about bwhat happens later on here.
I also fell behind on Madame Antoine, which I loved in the very beginning - but then the heroine lost all of her savvy and her ability to read people, and it was basically all about the hero fooling her while falling in love with her, and the heroine having to learn from him (while he of course doesn't have to learn anything from her). I plan to check back in again though, in case she regains her edge and really turns the drama into an interesting clash!
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robin
March 4, 2016 at 8:56 AM
agree completely. couldn't stand CIIT and Madame Antoine, the first coz it got boring fast and the second for the same reason you mentioned. Please come back Ahjussi is the the only drama I'm enjoying now, hope it doesn't go downhill too. As of now the characters are quirky and unpredictable and the whole thing is just a whole lot of fun :D
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owl 🦉 🫰
March 4, 2016 at 9:07 AM
JGS on the screen again will be heaven! He's the MC on that whack show 101 Produce - a reality show that eliminates trainees weekly to create a new girl group - and I just want to see his captivating smile in dramaland again!
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windsun33
March 4, 2016 at 9:47 AM
What you said about Madame Ant is what pretty much killed it for me. I could have put up with the really bad medical stuff (sort of). But when she went from super-savvy to "oh yay, another stupid candy girl" around the end of ep2 they lost me.
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4 neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
March 4, 2016 at 6:09 AM
Hello Beanies!!!!
It's been a tiring week with finals coming up so I had to take a break from a few dramas that needed some thinking HUHU
OMHE - it's an easy watch so this week has been too sweet HAHA Every time SH talks, it's full of sweetness that I can't help but cringe at every word HAHA
YOF in Africa - bromance! I LOLed at that incident with JY's nekkid scene....can we somehow get a glimpse of it?? hihihihi and I'd love to see JY in the future somewhere out there while he's travelling. He's the best travel buddy!
PBG and RJY's talk at Dune 45 makes me cry! and JY's kindness to the staff was the sweetest thing a star can do in a travel program.
Can't wait to see episode 3, it looks like they will separated into two groups?
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Rachel
March 4, 2016 at 8:47 AM
Kekeke can't help but giggle with you re RJY's unintentional nekkid scene.
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neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
March 5, 2016 at 7:43 AM
Hehehe ?? I know it was deleted but can we another and then not delete it? Hihihi
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5 sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 6:10 AM
Happy Friday!
Quite a week for CITT viewers, wasn't it? So many Park Hae-jin articles out there-looks like he is the winner after all?
Like JB mentioned, last 2 episodes felt like a typical Korean drama. But I am still grateful that the show gave me Kim Go-eun. I just adored her as Hong Seol. Some from interview with Kim Go-eun (25).
Even from the casting time, she was center of gossip which criticized she had the different look from the original webtoon character Hong Seol. About her being new to TV (Her debut was movie 'Eungyo'), and being accused not having same looks as the heroine of a popular webtoon, she said "Doing a drama was burden for me. I didn't know about Drama shooting atmospheres/settings. At first I turned down, but Lee Yoon-jung PD asked me with assurance to do together, so I didn't hesitate. After receiving the offer, I read the webtoon all night. I didn't think I couldn't portray the character because she was similar to me and a very common person."
In CITT, Seol and Yoo-jun's love line has conflicts as if taking psychology tests, and the people around her cause too much trouble, making things more complicated. Seol is the person who suppress those feelings rather than getting in trouble even if she has to make a sacrifice. "Seol is so frustrated. I can't live like that. Having difficult time is ok, but I can't take being done wrong/being unfair. There was time I could not understand Yoo-jung."
About playing Seol, "When I portray a character, I take out myself. I tried to talk with Seol's mind. How can you act a character with 100% understanding when you don't even understand your own family 100%. At first, I thought Seol was like a comfortable friend. I thought she was a realistic character and she was like a real person who actually live around us. During the filming, thoughts like 'why my face expression was like that in that situation? Was my feeling shown correct in that situation?' 'I should have thought more seriously' made me feel dissatisfied with my acting, but I kept going as I intended." "For her outfits (Her outfit was loved by Knetz), I went to the shopping mall where college students frequent, rather than using a brand name to look pretty and natural, with the concept 'outfit you can find anywhere easily'."
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 6:10 AM
One thing similar with Kim Go-eun and Hong Seol is shy personality. "I am very shy so I can't talk to a stranger. I don't know what to say.. But when I see them second time, I am so glad and get close quickly. On the third meet, I become friend (even though the other person might not think that way.). Once I become friend, there is no end. Someone has to stop me. There were times when I talked with PD, staffs came up and said 'Shooting is ready, so talk after the shoot'. Still I make sure to keep manners. I don't like being disrespectful to each other."
About ad-lib ("encouraging her cast to find the most natural deliveries," per JB), "Lee PD said we can act at our will. So I did lots of ad-lib. PD has to say 'Cut' to stop the acting, but she did not say 'Cut!' soon enough. For example, when Yoo-jung said he will just sleep after kissing in her room, Seol complained saying 'He can sleep fine since he has lots of experience.'- that was ad-lib. And murmuring playing with blanket, rolling in the bed when talking on the phone with Yoo-jung was all ad-lib.
About all hateful characters in CITT, Kim picked Da-jung as the worst character. "I really hated Da-young(Kim Hae-ji) who did bad-mouthing behind me more than Sang-chul(Moon Ji-yoon) sunbae. After shooting the scene where Da-young and Bo-ra get in a verbal fight, I called Hae-ji 'You come here.'. Hae-ji did not know what to do, smiling awkwardly. In the scene fighting with Min-soo(Yoon Ji-won) with Seol expressing her anger, and Da-young lingering around. I told the PD that I wanted to fight with Da-jung not Min-soo.. Of course Hae-ji is very nice person. Now that I talk, I am worried if she feels hurt. I only dislike Da-jung not Hae-ji. She helped me and we warmed up ourselves with heater together."
About acting 'Dating newbie' Hong Seol, "Do I look like an expert? I wish. I'd like to hear someone saying 'Look at her, she knows all too well.' For Seol, that was her first dating. Isn't first dating all same? I thought about pure innocent feeling. Actually I think I am innocent too? I am really innocent.(laugh)
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 6:10 AM
btw the scene Yoo-jung hit his head on the table lying down by her bed in Seol's room in episode 6 was NG and ad-lib.(If you didn't know already) Park Hae-jin said, "Seol's house set is really tiny. While filming lying down, I hit my head on the table by mistake. That was NG. Everybody including me was so shocked. If it were Yoo-jung, he might have just slept quietly, but I was so shocked that I screamed. PD-nim cracked up and wanted to use that scene. I hesitated actually. Go-eun ssi took it very well when it happened. She is such a smooth actress. Everything afterwards were ad-lib." He said it took 7 hours shooting Seol's room scene and Kim Go-eun was so impressive behaving like she was actually at her home during that time. "Seol is so natural. We usually act on the PD's Q-Sign, but I felt she was not acting. I usually remember what I am doing while shooting. I move under calculation since acting is promise with camera, but I forgot myself in front of Seol. When I watched the scene on TV, I asked myself if I really acted like that. Watching the scene I patted Seol's hair, I thought 'Did I really look at her with such a happy face?' "
You can watch more interviews here: http://www.hancinema.net/korean-celebrities-interviews.php
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Kiara
March 4, 2016 at 7:02 AM
Kim Go-eun and Han Ye-ri are fantastic movie actresses. It's a treat to see them both in dramaland.
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nomad
March 4, 2016 at 7:04 AM
Thank you for the info!!
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dokutokunaneko
March 4, 2016 at 8:11 AM
Thank you so much for these interview snippets .<) No wonder why PHJ is so impressed with her, since he cares a lot (one might say too much lol) about style.
Reading these makes me believe even more that there was no hatred from the PD to PHJ as an actor or YooJung as a character. The PD does well when the materials are already set up for her, but falters when she has to make up new stuff, it seems. All the actors love her directing (in terms of acting), and I think she's great at letting actors shine and letting the small moments really stand out, but when it comes to overall story she falls short.
And of course I'm only using the PD as shorthand for whoever else (drama writer, drama producers/team leaders) that were involved in the bad decisions of screwing up the story.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 7:09 AM
Thank you for translating all of this!
Cheese in the Trap was a massive letdown but I'm happy Kim Go-eun got so much love as Seol. She's incredibly versatile and such a natural actress, her getting more love from the public is the one good thing that came out of this drama.
Also in this drama, hr body language reminds me a bit of Gong Hyo-jin. They both have that very natural vibe to them, and wear even simple outfits effortlessly (I loved Seol's clothes too)
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6 sancheezy
March 4, 2016 at 6:10 AM
Happy Friday
I didn't watch lot of drama,
but funnily, I resumed Hua Qian Gu : The Journey of Flower to the end and I don't know why I did that.
It's one thing about mess up story and mess up SARFT editing but I don't know what happen, I just knew that I care too much about the character, Sha Jie Jie and Bai Zi Hua should had bromance with Dongfang as 3rd person in the group and just travel around the world, I would definitely buy the DVD for that. I think it has the story, it just they didn't knew how to make it in right chronological order. My conclusion for the show is :
Journey of Flower : Why we can't be immortal .
This reminds me of Nirvana in Fire editing team in my mind,
1st person : ooh 40 minutes, let's cut . .
2nd person: wait, someone still talking/flying/fighting
1st person: ok wait until they finished aaaand yup 40:40 cut! Next episode please . .
DoTS : loved it, I like the flow, I like that I can watch it without so much trouble and still left with satisfied feeling, like a good slice of life, there's nothing I really afraid of and it's so cute. It just good, I mean I'll recommend this to my mom, my sister and my friend. It has the theme and hard things but it feels good.
The other things is The OST : I love it All , from yoon mirae, punch x chen, davichi and they said Kwill is next.... It's quite rare for me to like the song even without the drama relation.
Haven't watch CBA ep 4 but I feel bad for the other Rain in the plane, it's not a harm to have double rain...but I still feel there's so many character in the story, I want it to be longer so I can see another character.
Btw, what exactly make you stay in a drama?
I find myself stay for acting rather than story cause if I can sympathize with the character, I am tolerate the story
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 6:32 AM
Story (more so) and character both (so actor/actress playing the character is important). One thing for sure is that certain actor/actress is not the factor making me stick to the drama (like The time we were whatever).
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Wag-a-muffin
March 4, 2016 at 6:38 AM
I stay if the "world" the writer gives us stays consistent. What I mean is, even if the world is totally unrealistic, if it has rules and the characters stay within those rules, and (like you said) if I sympathize with the characters, I will generally be drawn in to a story.
I kind of allow myself to be sucked in--I don't know if I can explain, since my husband says he never "loses" himself in a story and can't understand me at all. But it's almost as if I am "there." And if a drama keeps reminding me, jarring me back to the fact that I'm in my living room, sitting in the rocking chair, watching these "PRETEND people (with bad, or nonsensical writing) and that it's not happening to me--that makes me lose interest.
Example/Not Example: right now I love signal. And everything about it (almost) seems like I.am.there. It's scary how much I feel like I am with the characters during tense moments. Now, the only time I am dragged back to the fact that I'm watching a show is during the Subway PPL's. But since I love this show so much, I just find this "endearing." (Kind of an inside joke between me and the show.)
But when a character makes a STUPID (not backed up by the rules) choice--like when the main female finally confesses to the main male love interest--and he reciprocates that (shock) he loves her too--and then the next action is she goes to Italy to learn to brew coffee, or he gets hit with a truck and succumbs to amnesia. Well, then I am jarred into the reality that I am watching a show. And honestly, many time (unless I am invested enough to forgive the writer) I drop it.
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sancheezy
March 4, 2016 at 6:59 AM
I agree that if the world they create is interesting, has many story even with different character as focus, the acting doesn't really matter.
My point is really about :
good acting bad story can make me stay more episode than good story bad acting,
I feel like bad acting always failed the story department while good acting can save the story
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cozybooks
March 4, 2016 at 1:00 PM
"But when a character makes a STUPID (not backed up by the rules) choice–like when the main female finally confesses to the main male love interest–and he reciprocates that (shock) he loves her too–and then the next action is she goes to Italy to learn to brew coffee"
Ha, for a second I thought you were still talking about Signal there and I was like--that is not the same show I have been watching.
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Kiara
March 4, 2016 at 7:08 AM
I always follow actors/writers/directors. I appreciate talents and even when a show is bad at least I get to see how they tackle it.
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mashimomo
March 4, 2016 at 7:41 AM
It's the little emotional beats in a drama that makes me hooked, on top of good/versatile acting. That varies as well, depending on my state of mind since there were a lot of times that I thought I would absolutely love a drama and didn't, or vice versa. I also usually watch the actors/actress that I follow then figure out if I'm hooked or not. I learned to drop the drama right away, once it doesn't hold up my interest anymore, even if it had my absolute favorite actor on it (looking at you Hyde Jeckyll and Me).
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sancheezy
March 4, 2016 at 7:44 AM
I think HJE suffer from both, the story and the character doesn't make acceptable sense to me,
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mashimomo
March 4, 2016 at 10:05 AM
Nope. And what a waste of Hyun Bin's talent and comeback project.
For CBA - I'm enjoying all the actors and the story so far , but I slightly worry that the stories will get complicated and how cohesive that journey will be. There's enough things going on but I do think about how they will go around explaining that Rain and Oh Yeon So have to leave for good in the end.
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sancheezy
March 5, 2016 at 12:03 AM
I think they really doesn't make hyun bin do much in HJE, his acting is good but it wasn't enough to save the show.
CBA has too much thing and I am really worry how they gonna tied it up
cozybooks
March 4, 2016 at 1:17 PM
Your question has fascinated me for years--why do I keep reading/watching some things and drop others? If I'm going to wax philosophical(ish?), then I think a big part of my interest comes from how committed I feel the show is to itself. Like, does it know what kind of show it wants to be and is it willing to go all out to be that show? It has less to do with the plot itself (or lack thereof) or the extremity of the twists, writing or the acting and more with how aware the show is of itself. If you have bad writing and a campy feel, fine--but why and does it add to the show? What are they trying to tell or give their viewers--be it a moral, an hour of escape, or a tale of the extremes of life--and how committed are they to delivering that? It takes communication between the actors, directors, writers, etc. but when everybody's on the same page it's awesome.
From a more technical point, a good OST. If the music is whack, I just can't watch it (which is why I find myself struggling with most Taiwanese/Chinese dramas--it's always too loud!)
Whatever, maybe I'm overthinking it. Some shows have the magic, and others don't. I can tell which is which, and that's good because then I don't waste my time on something I don't enjoy. :)
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superficialdramafan
March 4, 2016 at 10:25 PM
I thought I was the only one who thinks that Taiwanese dramas are too loud. There's also too much background noise and color.
I gave up on Taiwanese drama altogether as I literally get a headache 10 min into an episode. I'm sure it's not the tonal language because I do watch the occasional Hongkong and mainland China dramas.
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cozybooks
March 5, 2016 at 6:37 AM
For sure. I'm learning Mandarin so I understand pretty well what's going on... and then in all the great moments the music comes and I can't hear a darn thing. Gah!Do you have any good Mainland ones to recommend? I'm always looking.
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Mercy
March 5, 2016 at 8:21 PM
Nirvana in Fire, a Mainland Chinese drama
pebble
March 4, 2016 at 8:12 PM
Thanks for recommending DotS, sancheezy. I looked up the OSTs on youtube, I like all of them too! The trailer is enticing me to watch DotS, and I just realised that the lead actor is Jin Goo, I last saw him in Ad Genius Lee Tae-Baek.
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7 sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 6:13 AM
Also My beloved show 'I have a lover' ended. Since I’d been an avid fan, I can't help but leaving a comment.
(Am I in minority?)
(With a little Spoiler) From an article(and me): This drama showed how not to be a Makjang drama with makjang elements. The show received criticism of being a Makjang drama in the beginning because of the affair plot, but now hardly anyone calls IHL as a Makjang drama. The reason it was able to avoid this insult was because the show didn't use the affair just to pull the attention from viewers.
In the process for one couple- Choi Jin-eon(Ji Jin-hee) and Do Hae-gang(Kim Hyun-joo) re-building their hopelessly ruined relationship (and become family/couple again), an affair was just one of things happened. Through husband's affair and its consequences, they were able to reflect on themselves and realize their significance to each other. The reason he fell for the other woman(Gang Seol-ri) was because of their daughter's death (who died due to what his wife did, which made the couple become even more distant), in addition to Gang reminded him of his wife whom he fell in love with when they were young (His wife became cold and ambitious after they were married). If they stayed together without mending their problem, they'd have continued living without soul and love. But through these and related incidences, his wife/Do lost her memory, lived as her twin sister, and became young innocent herself again (And Choi fell in love with his wife again. Well actually he was in love with his wife all along).
Even with the Makjang elements (Affair, Amnesia etc), the reason IHL was different from others was that it was able to persuade audiences. It showed why those Makjang elements were needed for their romance convincingly- thanks to Top notch acting from the leads.
I think weakest part of this drama are a few first(affair) and last(repeated plot points) episodes. btw if you want to watch, skip like ep 3-8 to avoid frustration. Has great OST (my fav along with 'Youth' from Reply 88)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuI4NTUpEUE
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korfan
March 4, 2016 at 6:46 AM
fan -
I didn't watch I Have A Lover, but not so long ago, I did tune in to watch about 15-20 minutes of it after reading many good comments about it. I was pretty good actually!
Glad you enjoyed it.
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brenda08
March 4, 2016 at 7:23 AM
I miss it so much :(
I agree. It is a really good drama and I know I got frustrated with JE about HK not telling him the truth towards the end (especially jail). I really enjoyed the ending. Soompi has a really great group of people in the IHAL forum: http://forums.soompi.com/en/topic/375411-current-weekend-drama-20152016-i-have-a-lover-%EC%95%A0%EC%9D%B8%EC%9E%88%EC%96%B4%EC%9A%94-sat-sun-2155-kst/?page=1
You should check it out of you haven't already. The discussions are great and it's a lot of reading (725 pages)
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korini
March 4, 2016 at 9:45 AM
No, you're not a minority. I always leave a comment about I have a lover. I shall miss it so much. The story, the chemistry, the initial controversy and the sublime acting of Kim Hyun-Joo in actually FOUR roles. I'll miss it so much...
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 9:59 AM
Thanks! I have been staying away from Soompi because it is not neat? like DB site here. 725 page-that is something.
Guess I am going to do some reading.
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pebble
March 4, 2016 at 8:43 PM
Hi fan, thanks for the link to the IHL Ost. I like the feel of this song by Ryu, it's awesome! I'm now quite tempted to watch IML, but not sure if I can handle 50 eps. I like KHJ since the time of Glass Slippers and JJH since Dae Jang Geum.
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8 pebble
March 4, 2016 at 6:14 AM
My comment posted above about CITT is awaiting moderation... why's that?
I’ve recently finished watching Because It’s The First Time, it is simple and refreshing, showing that a love triangle can be amicably settled without feelings of resentment from shippers. Choi Min-ho deserves a mention here, his acting skills improved a lot, making him much more likeable in BITFT than in To The Beautiful You. Have also finished watching Falling For Innocence as I couldn’t get enough of Song Soo-hyuk(Jung Kyung-ho) in OMHE, but was quite disappointed that he looked and acted quite the same in both dramas. I don’t know exactly what went wrong with recent rom-coms, I somehow got bored half-way through even though I like both the lead actor and actress, eg. OMHE, OMV, FFI, etc. It feels as though the endearing couple scenes were dished out in a perfunctory manner by the writer, quite unlike those Hallyu 1.0 dramas which have more sincere elements and heart-felt conversations which could touch the viewers’ heart. Or could it be due to the law of diminishing marginal utility? As we see more of the same kind of drama with similar tropes, the gratification and satisfaction we get out of it diminishes more and more.
I am currently watching Who Are You? which feels like a slower-paced version of I Remember You merging with Oh My Ghostess as it’s about a dead police inspector uncovering the mysterious conspiracy surrounding his death. So Yi-hyun(Yang Shi-ohn) paired up very well with both Ok Taecyeon(Cha Gun-woo) and Kim Jae-wook(Lee Hyung-joon). Again, there is no need for shipping here as KJW is the dead boyfriend from the past who are hovering around to assist and protect Shi-ohn while she and Gun-woo go about solving the mystery surrounding his own death. Probably the hardest part of dealing with the death of loved ones and of oneself is to let go of people and things which are closest to heart. KJW’s character of Hyun-joon from the netherworld is very different from the bubbly Soon-ae(Kim Seul-gie) in Oh My Ghostess. He could only be seen but not heard by Shi-ohn and he does not go around possessing anyone, so he could only communicate through facial expression and body language. It is quite challenging to ‘silently’ express the emotional turmoil of avenging a wrongful death, and the angst of helplessly witnessing his loved one falling in love with someone else. In this regard, KJW did a good portrayal, I also like flashbacks of his heart-warming couple moments with SYH. Of course, Ok Taecyeon is the male lead, the commanding presence of a bubbly and upbeat boyish Gun-woo and his constant banter with Shi-ohn balanced the sombre mood of Hyung-joon’s tragedy.
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Lilly
March 4, 2016 at 6:24 AM
I really liked Who Are You? I think it was very underrated on how good it is.
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sancheezy
March 4, 2016 at 6:37 AM
I think it was underrated because it aired at the same time with Master's Sun at the time, \
and the lack of Kim Jae Wook
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pebble
March 4, 2016 at 6:43 AM
Yes, I absolutely agree that WAY was very underrated. Because it is of slower pace than typical crime thriller, things only start to pick up momentum from Ep 5 onwards after Hyung-joon’s spirit appear. I like KJW as Jung-in in Mary Stayed Out All Night a lot, and now, I'm also starting to like this character in WAY.
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sancheezy
March 4, 2016 at 6:37 AM
I think your comment wait moderation because of link , do you insert some link there?
I also love because it's the 1st time, it's quite a deep story for me when it's all in the matter if heart even if it looked simple.
I like how they all become friend and how they deal with their love.
Even though I like Choi Minho x Kim Go Eun couple, I also understand their choice.
It's bittersweet and an enjoyable story, I hope there's more story like that in the future,
As for similar trope in drama, I admit that I got sick of it sometimes and if it played over and over, the impact is less than the previous one. The best example is makjang weekend drama, the reason people can't stand it is simple, they all almost do the same thing over and over to gain the 50 ep quota but also enjoyable at some point.
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pebble
March 4, 2016 at 7:07 AM
Hi sancheezy, I think my comment was deleted.. I did include a few Youtube links of a manhwa I would like to share with others, other then that, my comment about CITT may have covered something sensitive? I really don't know why?
Watching BITFT gave me a breezy feeling, it was so easy to get totally engrossed and before I knew it, I'd finished all 8 eps. Probably this is what differentiates it from other recent rom-coms with formulaic tropes, I wonder if the actors and actresses got goosebumps when acting out the ultra-cheesy couple scenes.
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sancheezy
March 4, 2016 at 7:40 AM
did you posted this "파페포포 애니 PV 1 ??" I found it at the end of comment
I liked to watch reality show and the actor did feel it's ultra cheesy,
I wish Lee min ho, kim soo hyun and lee jong suk can get that question cause I never really see them in talk show, they should go to Infinity Challenge and watch the remakes of their story and I wonder what is their reaction
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pebble
March 4, 2016 at 7:53 AM
Yep, I posted that "파페포포 애니 PV 1 ??” video, and I noticed that my posting was not deleted afterall, it appeared again as thread no. 2 on top.
Haha! So the actors did also feel that those couple scenes were ultra cheesy. :) I don't usually watch talk shows and entertainment programs like Running Man, etc. As I prefer their personas/characters in dramas than the real person.
It's already so late here (2:30 am), will have to go sleep!
Rachel
March 4, 2016 at 8:50 AM
I agree about your point on watching one drama after another from the same genres. That's why I like to vary my drama-watching diet. For example, whilst I was on the tail end of watching Producer (late), I started watching Signal, which is now on its tail end, so I'm starting Descendants of the Sun. All very very different shows. If I watch one romcom/grisly thriller after another I get exhausted quite quickly and start to reject K-drama altogether.
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pebble
March 4, 2016 at 7:44 PM
Yeah, this is the reason why I'm watching Who Are You? for a change. Next, I may watch Signal or DOTS or indulge in a good long melodrama.
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9 sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 6:16 AM
Just one more.
Love Signal. Can't wait to watch next ep. Casts and staffs already left for their celebratory trip (without giving any interview. I wanted one for Jo Jin-woong). Here is one interview with Lee Dong-ha/Han Se-kyu (Murderer of singer trainees, 3rd cold case) from Signal.
Lee Dong-ha (33) who played Han Se-kyu, the Nam Gyu-man No.2 in Signal is an actor with 8 years of experience who debuted in musical but has only 2 years of acting experience in front of camera. He says he feels happiest when he delve into the character who he plays. Han Se-kyu was a psychopass who committed evil acts like-rape, murder, drug etc. and got away because of his rich background. Viewers loathed him and couldn't stand him. He kept saying it was real honor. "I was honored just being able to work with the director, writer, and senior actors. When I think about it now, I feel like I had a dream. It was not a huge role, but when I walk in the street, people recognize me saying 'That is Han Se-kyu!" I am so happy I was remembered by playing his character. He portrayed Han Se-kyu realistically as the culprit in the 3rd cold case. "I am grateful for the interests given to me, even though I feel dissatisfied a little... My biggest regret is that I should have shown more flexible and unique evil character. Then again you can't avoid having regrets after the acting. I tried to portray the character, watching the movie like 'American Psycho' and studied what mind and feelings those actors acted with.
In Signal, Han Se-kyu beat up, raped, and murdered women. This type of acting is naturally hard on the actors. "When we filmed that scene raping and beating a woman felt so realistic that I felt such a burden, ended up fainting due to excessive breathing problem. Shooting stopped for about an hour. Lee Eun-woo noona was playing the victim character, and she encouraged me to do whatever I want without hesitation, that way good scene could come out. That made me feel at ease, and I am so thankful to her."
About filming, he said "I was only in 4 episodes, but because shooting wasn't done on regular schedule, I had to live as Han for 4 months. There was even a time that I waited for one month until I shoot my next scene. When there was no shooting, I studied watching other shows. That was hard so I drank a lot. It was hard time mentally and physically, but people around me helped and I have learned a lot."
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 6:17 AM
He said just breathing in the same space with senior actors/actresses was real honor. "Sunbae-nim's concentration is amazing. With the case of Jo Jin-woong and Kim Hae-soo Sunbae, there were only Cha Soo-hyun and Lee Jae-han in front of me even though we started to shoot right after I said hello to them. When Jo sunbae called me 'Han Se-kyu', he was natural detective. I could be able to do Han Suk-kyu role thanks to Sunbae-nim.
About the casting, He said he went to the audition when he heard Kim PD of Miseang is doing the audition without having any knowledge about the drama. "I did audition for 3 hours. I gave greetings and read scripts. PD-nim told me "Do this way in this part" and kept asking to do more. I ended up reading all my parts in Episode 5 to 8 for 3 hours. I found out about what the show was about. Actually I didn't have any expectation. I just thought it was my honor having an audition with Kim PD. But I got a call 4 hours after the audition. I was so excited."
About HSK's end, "Personally I think Han's end should have been worse and more pathetic (than just being arrested), that way viewers might've felt more satisfaction. I watched the scene when aired, and felt like it ended too clean."
He said about people's response. "I am amazed people recognize me in the street. My parents work in the arts area, and they criticize/give advice on my acting, with comments like "This is awkward" etc. But this time they said "You did ok." Especially the responses from my friends were overwhelming. Some High school friend whom I have not met for a long time contacted me asking to have a drink. They said I had a hit this time. Playing Han Se-kyu was hard but made me happy. I'd like to be an actor who is remembered by the character I play. When people recognized me, I want them to say "Han Se-kyu' not 'Lee Dong-ha."
btw is there anyone you want to see the interview?
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Lilly
March 4, 2016 at 6:28 AM
I enjoyed reading it, thanks.
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Kiara
March 4, 2016 at 7:25 AM
I love you! I'm a fan of Jo Jin-woong. It's always good to read articles about him.
He is one of my favorite supporting actors in Chungmuro. I want to see "The Handmaid" so bad with Park Chan Wook at the helm.
When Park Chan-Wook produce, write and direct his film you know it's going to be something special and out of this world. This is my most anticipated film of the year.
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cozybooks
March 4, 2016 at 1:26 PM
Thank you! Interesting read. :)
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10 CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 6:18 AM
Hi all:
It's been quite a week wading through this new batch of writing contest entries.
Finished the fantasy entries. I encountered had so many twists I felt like calling Chubby Checker. (Old joke that youngsters won't get.) I so wish writers wouldn't do that twist ending thing. Twists for twists' sake. Another story that was unique in narration and had all the storytelling elements but was way too nihilistic and cruel for my taste. Luckily she was a bit messy with her dialoging so I could low-rank the story on issues other than my emotions. There was also a flaky fun story about an evil villainous cat. Fun witty and tongue in cheek. It was seriously strange. Would make a great picture book or chapter book if the vocabulary wasn't so adult.
Now working on fairytale entrants. So many writers flipping tropes IN THE SAME EXACT WAY with THE SAME EXACT CHARACTERS. I want to say to these folks, "Now look here! you are NOT that original. Stop trying to write the "not your mother's fairytale." You are obviously not up on what's happening in the specfic community or else you wouldn't be coming up with such a banal everyday idea!" But no. I'm in mentor maternal mode..and just gently gritting my teeth and saying stuff like, "This story is very predictable. Have you considered writing your own fairytale with your own original characters? Originality trumps adaptation anytime." I swear! If I see one more good witch and evil Cinderella/Snow White or feminist/divorced Sleeping Beauty.
Six Flying Dragons: Don't get me wrong but I'm sitting around waiting for YeonHee, Jeong DeJeon, and Crown Prince to be murdered. I feel so evil. On the other hand, I'm hoping for a love story between oori MooHyul and SeGwang. Hoping Nameless leaves her alone but one never knows.
Cheese: Ah, PD-nim! You were either in love with our second lead (or actor playing second lead) or you disliked first lead (or actor playing first lead.) I thought your ending of this drama was like a royal f*ck-off to viewers. It's as if you did everything to imply and kiss off any possible romance. You couldn't bring yourself to even let us hope for a happy ending between Jung and HongSeol. You did everything to imply she was falling out of love with him and to make the most closed open-ending I've ever seen.
Descendants: I really hate women slapping men! But these dramas are full of that kinda thing. And gets away with it cause ya know..she was all emotional and angry and stuff. It's like I want to shout at the screen, "Why are you laying your hand on someone's face so harshly? And director-nim, PD-nim, find another way to show passionate anger!" In real life, I would have no problem with a guy returning such a slap. Woman or not, she shouldn't be allowed to hit someone. Okay, rant over. Other than that, this is a very romantic drama and I had forgotten how hot cocky men in uniform are! Dayum, Song Joong Ki! I'll also say..the women running around...
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 6:19 AM
I'll also say..the women running around bare-legged and without a hajib in an Islamic country. Kinda disrespectful and dangerous. Did she actually visit the patient while wearing shorts? It would've been good to see our female doctors dressed to respect the culture they're in.
Come back mister: I'm watching it. Not really super connected with it but am not hating it either.
Signal: Ah me! Preparing myself for all the tension. This drama is so good but so stressing. I literally have to fight fear in order to click the link. Then, adequately prepared, I jump in and brim over with hate for evil self-righteous smug hater of lowlifes Captain Kim.
Trying to figure out if I'll watch either Five Children or Yeah, it happened like that. Or neither. Or both. I need a good weekender.
Someone mentioned Orange Days last week so I'll try to watch it this weekend.
Have a great weekend, all!
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Wag-a-muffin
March 4, 2016 at 6:42 AM
I thought the first two episodes of Come Back Mister were clever. But I think I'm dropping it. The two leads joking around about boobs and "things" on the bed--and male in a woman's body getting excited about Rain's character. Nah. It doesn't fit in that world's rules for me.
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 7:53 AM
The character Rain plays isn't depicting the seriousness of the situation when he's not with his family. Honestly, shouldn't he be a bit more mopey about his family when he's not with them? Altogether too light. And didn't he say he wanted to come back to tell his wife about some money he secretly stashed or some such thing? Why hasn't he told her? It's not as if they have all the time in the world -- not that they were told by the heavenly clerk how much time they have. But still....
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 6:52 AM
the women running around bare-legged and without a hajib in an Islamic country
Wearing hijabs or 'covering up' isn't compulsory in all Islamic countries, specially for foreigners - Pakistan, Bangladesh and some of the Emirates don't have an officially-enforced hijab mandate, even if lots of women there do wear them.
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nomad
March 4, 2016 at 7:10 AM
Even though it's not compulsory, I think the point that Carole made is still valid. It's not about the covering, but to wear clothes that are more conservative, just out of respect to the other's cultures. Of course, this is just my opinion also.
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nomad
March 4, 2016 at 7:14 AM
But then again, even though I've been a kdrama addict for years, it still baffles me that women go to work with shorts and mini skirts, and I live in the US. It would've been considered really inappropriate and unprofessional here. What I find even more ironic is that Koreans seem to think that US is wayyyy more liberal than they are.
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 7:17 AM
mind you, I've only seen pics of the outfit Carole is referring to, and it doesn't strike me as something out of place for a foreigner to wear in places like Dubai or Istanbul. Bare legs are far from verboten there, even if local women don't show theirs.
CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 7:55 AM
Yeah, those mini-skirts would get a lot of those working women pulled over by the cops as being working girls. Remember our little girl band and the airport incident?
pebble
March 4, 2016 at 7:38 PM
I don't think women go to work wearing shorts and mini skirts in SK, those are just for showcasing fashionable attire in kdrama. In Misaeng, Ahn Young-yi's (Kang So-ra) office attire is so prim and proper, this is more likely to be closer to reality.
CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 7:40 AM
"Official" isn't the problem. There are a lot of self-appointed guardians of public moral around in such places. I have friends who live in the Middle East and even in Israel and dang! Religious clerics are absolutely known for hitting women's bare legs. Take a warning from me: do not ever go to Israel or anywhere in the Middle East dressed any old way on the slim premise that most people will understand and excuse a woman simply because she is non-Arab. (I've also heard from Korean friends that western women wearing lowcut or uncovered shoulders can be somewhat offensive to older Koreans. So when in Rome, do as the Romans. That's respecting a culture.)
And seriously, who visits an important person in shorts? True, they turned up at the camp and invited them but she could've asked to dress properly...especially since our hero dressed properly for his disciplinary meeting. This is not just some guy on the street. And if any mucho righteous "enemy of peace" had seen her go into the embassy dressed like that...well.. heavens!
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 8:15 AM
The Middle East is a pretty large region, and while I imagine countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia and now Iraq and Syria (no surprise, given the developments of the last two years) may well have clerics going around policing women, that may well not be the case in every country.
I wore (not-micro!) shorts as a tourist in Istanbul just three years ago, and I certainly don't recall any clerics hassling me or anyone else, though I was told that there were some areas of the city where I shouldn't go, as a single woman.
CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 10:00 AM
Maybe you weren't hassled because you're (probably) white. Or maybe you're older. If you're Black you have a whole lotta media stuff implying we are sinful.
But let us separate what we can get away with, cultural respect in nations that don't make a big deal about the hajib, and a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan a country which is very affected by the Taliban. Are you kidding me? I don't know what the UN guidelines or special forces or Korean special forces are but the Guidelines for military in Afghanistan is to wear the hajib. My sister's husband worked for UNDP and they went to Turkey. For some official reasons. And she had to wear a hajib. Also, why do we have the women in the medical unit wearing scarves when they first arrived at the unit then suddenly the scarves disappear?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/should-our-uniform-adapt-to-their-culture/2011/02/18/AB6jphH_story.html
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 10:17 AM
Carole - I'm not sure where you get the idea that I'm white. I specifically mentioned below that I'm Indian. And have occasionally been mistaken for Arab by the unwary/airport security, so trust me, I know what it's like to be treated like a would-be criminal for having slightly darker skin.
And Istanbul is hardly as extreme as you seem to think, my own experience may not convince you but these are mostly Turkish people whose outfits are being chronicled here:
And I was under the impression that the warzone in DOTS is in a fictional country called Urk, not actual Afghanistan. They can set their own rules in the dramaverse, Middle East does not automatically = hijabs.
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 10:19 AM
sorry, forgot the link - this is from 2011, but the people whose daily outfits are being chronicled here, are mostly Turkish.
http://istanbulstreetstyle.blogspot.com
Amilia
March 4, 2016 at 9:16 PM
"Also, why do we have the women in the medical unit wearing scarves when they first arrived at the unit then suddenly the scarves disappear?"
Oh, the wind blew the scarves away in a very artsy manner. ?
pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 6:54 AM
oh and neither do Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and several other majority-Muslim countries.
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 7:42 AM
Respect the majority of a culture, I say. Culture is culture, law and official demands are laws and official demands. The culture should be respected by foreigners to that culture. Whether or not the law demands it. Heck, many of my moslem friends wear hajibs and they aren't in a majority-Moslem country.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 8:10 AM
Carole - hijabs are most definitely not worn by all Muslim women either - from what my friends (who are Indian like me and do not wear hijabs) tell me, they see it as a cultural thing from the Middle East and not something that applies to them, as South Asians Muslims. But there are others who view the Saudi/Arab practice as 'true' Islam and follow it as such.
Sure, my friends would not be caught dead walking down a street in hot pants but their interpretation of the stricture to dress modestly just means not wearing anything too tight or revealing in public - they don't cover their hair or anything. I guess it varies according to individual perception/influence.
owl 🦉 🫰
March 4, 2016 at 8:01 AM
Hi Carole,
About Five Children - the cast was on Happy Together and I watched 3 episodes and wanted to like it, I really did, but already I don't care about keeping up with alter love lives and their respective families. Korean families already complicated enough and the prevalence of "our rich family trumps your poor shop/restaurant family" annoys me to no end and makes me sad.
I like reading about your adventures of a judge/screener of story entries.
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 10:12 AM
Yeah..sometimes you have to run away from a trope when you've had too much of it. I feel that way about "secrets." It's too much sometimes, especially in the dailies.
:-) re the stories. I've found some really great stories. The biggest problem -- other than wading through the stories when one isn't in the mood to read-- is when you have 8 or nine great stories and you have to pick the top 5. Sooooooo hard.
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mylo
March 4, 2016 at 8:28 AM
Umm but she is is not working in an Islamic country if i am not mistaken but the patient that showed up was an Arab. Correct me if i am wrong
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 10:43 AM
Not sure how I picked it up. Assumptions? Arab nations aren't the only Islamic countries, though. I assumed it was Afghanistan because the landscape reminded me of Afghanistan. But I just googled. It's supposed to be the Balkans, someplace like Sarajevo. The Balkans is a region where Christianity and Islam merge, and now there are a lot of terrorists, jihadists, arm dealers, and extremists there. So peacekeepers. But for some reason I sensed the historical presence of both religions.
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kitkat
March 4, 2016 at 9:36 AM
I'm confused, where did you get the info that Urk is an islamic country?
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 10:10 AM
Had to go check. Not sure how I picked up that assumption...or why I'd been assuming it was Afghanistan. Thanks for calling my attention to that. Turns out Urk is a fictional place in the Balkans... Not sure what the PD did or what my brain did to "see" islam.
Anyways, the Balkans has a large moslem population..so I was assuming it was the Middle East. Thanks for correcting me. Okay, my bad on the assumption of Afghanistan. But it seems to be where I got the idea of an Islamic area.
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korini
March 4, 2016 at 10:26 AM
Carole, I doubt the country is "islamic". It's supposed to be some made up Eastern european Muslim country, probably a "unmentioned" Kossovo. It used to be part of the former Yugoslavia (if anyone asks what is Yugoslavia, you'll just make me feel reaaaally old).
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 10:46 AM
Probably. I guess there is a difference between Islamic country and muslim country. I'll have to sort it out. At least I'm not thinking it's Afghanistan anymore.
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sorrynotsorry
March 4, 2016 at 2:48 PM
Originally the drama had SJK jump out of an airplane and rescue some UN folks in Afghanistan so maybe that planted a seed. They filmed in Greece but, yes, it is a fictional country which I think was a smart thing to do.
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atz
March 4, 2016 at 7:06 AM
RE:Cheese: Ah, PD-nim! You were either in love with our second lead (or actor playing second lead) or you disliked first lead (or actor playing first lead.) I thought your ending of this drama was like a royal f*ck-off to viewers.
Hear!hear!!
I bet PD nim was infatuated with Seo Kang Joon. But I am not sure why everyone is swooned by him. He really does look and behaves a bit air headed. In fact when he played a role that was intelligent and classy in the last drama, Hwajeong, he failed to portray the noble. His good look could not carry the drama far...( both female and male leads were wooden ) I was puzzled to see why he was chosen for the role.
I have not watched the last eps because it is the worst ending I ever come across... well, School 2015 was also bad.
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 7:47 AM
Weirdly, I love airheads. And that is his charm. I don't think he's a good actor yet. But he's got time to improve.
But I wouldn't mess up a story because I wanted to help the career of an actor or make him into a leading man simply because I have a crush on him. I might be tempted to mess up a story if I totally disagreed with another writer's plotting, to undercut it in some way. But I think -- I hope-- I'd resist that.
As for bad endings, I've seen many:
Oh la la couple
Blade and Petal
Even Mirae's Choice.
And quite a few Japanese dramas that just seemed totally addicted to making the viewer miserable.
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korfan
March 4, 2016 at 7:16 AM
Carole -
Sounds like you have your hands full with all those stories to read! Hang in there!
Regarding Six Flying Dragons, again, I'm behind where you're at, but I must say that since her introduction, Sa-kwang is a very interesting character.
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 7:48 AM
She is. I really like her.
My big sorrow with this story is that the writers didn't make Gab Boon more than an "ear." All the other characters have some major purpose. But she is kinda plot exposition listener.
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genkibaka
March 4, 2016 at 7:44 AM
I think I 'm going to cry my eyes out when Jeong DeJeon dies. Just because it's Kim Myung Min.
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 7:49 AM
I do love Kim Myung Min as well. I wonder if he's ever played a guy as unselfaware as JDJ before.
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cozybooks
March 4, 2016 at 1:40 PM
Re:stories
Can I just say I think it's the coolest thing that you judge writing contests? I love to write, myself, and have great respect for those who will read my work and give me honest feedback. I totally agree about the twists on fairytales thing, too. And repeat fiction. If your book is just like HP/Twilight/Hunger Games/LOTR 'but', then I might as well just read the original! Which is why I like Terry Pratchett--wonderfully inventive world, hilarious, and blessedly insightful.
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11 lordseungri
March 4, 2016 at 6:18 AM
Wow after the horrid ending of CITT I feel to tired to watch anything but I managed to watch DOTS and Signal. DOTS is quite good with episode 4 being very strong. We got to learn a lot about YSJ and his speech to KMY about his military law was amazing. The chemistry is extremely strong and I find myself loving KMY more and more.
Signal is just A+. So scared for how it is all going to end
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12 Kaylie
March 4, 2016 at 6:26 AM
Hi everyone happy Friday!
I've only been seriously watching Six Flying Dragons these days, but out of curiosity I caught the first two episodes of Tree With Deep Roots. I didn't have patience to keep watching and I didn't want to confuse myself with it, but I can finally understand what the hype about young Sejong/Song Joong-ki was about and why some people still hate Taejong with a passion while watching SFD. Song Joong-ki portrayed the helplessness of a powerless young king so well. He's gained a new fan in me! (Although I'm still swearing off DOTS because... I think Song Hye-kyo is overrated.) Now I'm praying he gets to cameo in the last episode of SFD. Although Yoo Ah-in as his dad would be a hilarious sight to see.
Meanwhile, I'm also catching Youths Over Flowers Africa for Park Bo-gum. I cried along with him when he started to cry during his heart-to-heart talk with Ryu Jun-yeol. Ahh. But I have to say, I don't think the Reply Me boys have as much chemistry as the Iceland rocks-for-brains haha. They are just tooooo epic.
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Lilly
March 4, 2016 at 6:31 AM
I love Tree With Deep Roots. That is a must see to me to those who love kdrama.
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s
March 4, 2016 at 7:31 AM
Yoo Ah In as Song Joong Ki 's dad
*Facepalm*
It will be a joke.
They are buddies in Sungkyunkwan scandal.
"Gu Yong_ha and Moon Jae shin didn't know they were father and son in previous life."
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Kaylie
March 4, 2016 at 8:24 AM
I know! That'll be so awkward for them lol!
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 10:03 AM
lol
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owl 🦉 🫰
March 4, 2016 at 7:52 AM
I can't wait to watch Youths Over Flowers Africa and am so happy it is being subbed. A friend and I have vrtual "Date Night" where we sync our times and watch a couple of shows together but apart on Fridays complete with face masks and drinks. We are going to watch Infinity Challenge and YOFA tonight.
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Kaylie
March 4, 2016 at 8:22 AM
So envious of you for having a friend who shares the same taste and preference for shows as you! Very often I find myself full of thoughts and opinions about a show after watching each episode but I don't have an outlet to express all my thoughts. Good thing I stumbled upon Dramabeans!
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Kiara
March 4, 2016 at 8:26 AM
I am glad you got to see it for yourself :). I'm dying to see him in a sageuk again.
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13 Sajen
March 4, 2016 at 6:26 AM
I sort of finished How I Met Your Mother, after season 7 I was burnt out and tired it just wasn't the same as the last 5 seasons so I just skipped to the finale. I'm in the minority in that I actually liked the ending even if I think they needed to do a bit more work to get to that point.
I saw a clip of Jay Leno talking to U.S. high schoolers about geography and it just made me sad, really freaking sad I just want to curl up in a ball and disappear it made me so sad.
One More Happy Ending- still waiting for Viki.
Neighborhood Hero- I may have dropped it I'm not sure yet.
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14 gadis
March 4, 2016 at 6:29 AM
Signal: It's awesome, horrifying, and also heartbreaking. Inju case was horrible (though the real case is even more horrible) and the police willingness to make such an elaborate stage for their cover story was terrifying. What kind of powerful parents that was behind that 'one boy'?
CiTT: I felt cheated. It should've become a great romcom this year and top my favourite drama list. Sigh, the what-if scenario would be never ending. Well, while I still treasure the first half alot, it's relieving to finally part way with this show.
OMHE: Ah, you cute sweet little show. I love your sweet moments and also all your antic silliness. And I especially love the way you poke fun at all those old tropes. Let's hope we'll get a satisfactory ending next week.
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Beverly A
March 5, 2016 at 7:48 PM
Signal is mesmerizing and so tension filled I find a glass of wine almost required by law when I watch.
When Korean dramas do crime drama as in 'Signal' and my late, lamented 'Last' they can really blow you away. I still watch the last episode of 'Last' when I want a little reminder of how great TV can still be.
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15 korfan
March 4, 2016 at 6:35 AM
Hi Everyone! ....... I hope you are all doing well today.
While I didn't watch Cheese In The Trap, it was certainly interesting to read about the situation that developed. It's unfortunate that things turned out as they did and that fans, viewers and the people directly involved with the project, were left frustrated and disappointed.
Watched this week:
Six Flying Dragons - Up to episode 36 and still as awesome as ever! ....... She's on screen for only a few minutes at a time, but the Cheok Sa-kwang character is fantastic and interesting to watch.
Remember - I've hung in there with poor Jin-woo and only have 2 more episodes to watch. Poor guy, what else can go wrong at this point?
Descended From The Sun - Just started this and so far, I like it. ....... Song Joong-ki certainly knows how to work that gaze of his. Big time.
One More Happy Ending - Decided to check this out also. Watched bits and pieces of the first 2 episodes. Not super great, but not super awful either. I don't think I'll be continuously watching it, but I may just check in on it now and then.
Signal - I did watch episode 1 in its entirety. It's certainly intriguing and interesting and I want to continue watching it. The thing is, I can see how this requires the viewer's complete attention and I'm not sure if I can be that dedicated to it right now.
That's all for now. ....... Everyone take care and have a great Friday!
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owl 🦉 🫰
March 4, 2016 at 7:48 AM
Hi Korfan,
"Poor guy, what else can go wrong at this point?"
Don't ask. I love Seungho!
Have a great Friday, too!
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korfan
March 4, 2016 at 8:05 AM
owl -
Yoo Seung-ho is always great.
His Jin-woo character needs a hug though.
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gaeinalee
March 5, 2016 at 2:37 AM
i'll give them a bear hug, both to YSH and his JW character.. ^^
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Kiara
March 4, 2016 at 7:50 AM
"She’s on screen for only a few minutes at a time, but the Cheok Sa-kwang character is fantastic and interesting to watch."
She can be put in a corner and you will still remember her. That's my girl Han Ye-ri <3.
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korfan
March 4, 2016 at 8:06 AM
Kiara -
Absolutely!!
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 8:19 AM
Han Ye-ri is pretty amazing. I first saw her in The Commitment (which is an average movie, at best) and her part had barely even been mentioned in pre-release articles about the movie, but she stole the entire movie from right under T.O.P.'s nose.
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Kiara
March 4, 2016 at 9:51 AM
I totally agree with you. That is an example of what raw talents can do. In this case, steal a whole dang show. I almost feel sorry for T.O.P to be honest.
I am kind of nervous that she is doing dramas because she is so much better than what's she is given but maybe she needs more exposure?
We have seen what raw talents and star power combined can do. It keeps actors like Song Kang Ho, Ha Jung Woo, Jeon Do-Yeon etc at the top for the rest of their acting career.
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 10:48 AM
It takes confidence to have that confident sexiness without seeming to laugh at one's portrayal. Joong Ki is perfect. He's sexy and he knows it. Dang! Love me some cockiness.
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korfan
March 4, 2016 at 10:55 PM
*nodding*
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cozybooks
March 4, 2016 at 1:42 PM
Watch Signal! It only gets better from ep. 1 (at least, so far). :)
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korfan
March 4, 2016 at 11:03 PM
Cozybooks -
That's what I've heard (and read), that it's so good!
I would like to watch the rest of the episodes .... the problem is finding the time.
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16 wonhwa
March 4, 2016 at 6:51 AM
So I guess the lesson of this week is don't adapt stories that don't have endings yet. Or if you do, figure out an ending that makes all the parties happy before you start filming. Because creating an intriguing set up that you have no idea how to resolve is a recipe for disaster. Especially if you literally throw your heroine under the bus in the final episodes and take away all of her agency. I can live with open endings. I can live with unhappy endings. I can't live with an ending where the protagonist gets no say in what happens to her.
On the other hand, I'm very sad that Six Flying Dragons is down to its final episodes. Unlike many viewers, I actually get where all of the characters are coming from, and really appreciate the fact that the show has refused to provide easy heroes and villains. Regime change is messy, and it's refreshing to see a show that acknowledges that there are no simple solutions that provide utopia for everyone.
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sancheezy
March 4, 2016 at 7:03 AM
I think Kdrama can just make Season series for running adaptation, anime can work with that and I don't think it's a bad idea for Kdrama.
as example Game of Thrones, but in lighter version
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wonhwa
March 4, 2016 at 12:06 PM
I generally like the fact that Asian television shows have definite endings, as opposed to dragging out over multiple seasons, but there are certainly stories like CITT that would have benefited from more episodes or a second season, rather than trying to force an ending that feels rushed and unorganic to the material and relationships.
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sancheezy
March 5, 2016 at 12:08 AM
I actually really hate seasonal tv series except for the procedural one and a couple season for comedy but Kdrama rarely adapt on-going story so they caught in the middle this time,
If they had season series, I hope it can stop in number 3, I can't take 10 season seriously anymore
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Sajen
March 4, 2016 at 12:12 PM
Anime frequently adapts stories without endings yet sometimes they go multiple seasons, sometimes they make their own, sometimes they just end. Regardless of what happens they rarely face the kind of criticism Cheese in the Trap had and when they do it's usually because of going multiple seasons and adding endless filter.
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17 pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 7:01 AM
Cheese in the Trap - this cheese was so great at first, then it started to stink.
And then it started to REALLY stink, and there were some who claimed it was supposed to be a stinky cheese anyway and we just couldn't appreciate the merits of a good stinky cheese. But we can smell the difference between a great ripe French cheese and a cheese that has just been taken over by mould.
Too burned by this to watch any more airing kdramas, though I want to give Page Turner a shot when it finally gets here, for the sake of Ji-soo and Kim So-hyun. And I'll finish out Signal - thank god it has a PD who didn't get drunk on his own hype.
I may start East of Eden this week because I want to se more Park Hae-jin on my screen. But I wish I could find sources that play decent-quality video and are actually available to stream in my area :(
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sancheezy
March 4, 2016 at 7:35 AM
East of Eden; I still love the OST (by SG wannabe and KCM) until now, I hope you can enjoy it ^^
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 8:20 AM
Thanks! I hope I find a decent-quality stream first :)
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Rachel
March 4, 2016 at 8:53 AM
East of Eden had quite many tropes and the usual Song Seung-heon *super serious* face but dammit it was so addictive. And it was reminiscent of old-school Korean dramas.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 10:01 AM
I'm on the first ep and I'm actually a sucker for that old-school kdrama feel when it's backing a good drama.
But I must be really far gone if I'm willing to sit through Song Seung-heon just for the sake of eventually getting to watch Park Hae-jin.
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Golly it was so long ago. Wasn't that one with Lee Yeon-hee everyone fussed at her awkward acting?
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 10:23 AM
She hasn't shown up yet!
korini
March 4, 2016 at 10:28 AM
You chose East of Eden to see PHJ? Where he portays a rapist? I recommend My Daughter. Much better and more loveable there.
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18 bips99
March 4, 2016 at 7:04 AM
CITT is finally over ... It was my first time live watching and commenting on DB and it was a complete hoot! It kind of took over my real life. Thank you guys for making it such a wonderful experience
Out of the current on air shows, i'm only watching DOTS. Nice and breezy. It hasn't got its hooks into me and thats a plus. I just don;t have any energy left after CITT
Can i ask for some recommendations here? I want to watch some historicals. I have just seen 'faith' partially and QIH's Man.
I'm looking for something that not more than 30 episodes long and something preferably recent like post 2010 bec i like good production visuals. Any ideas please ???
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sancheezy
March 4, 2016 at 7:32 AM
historical
The Princess' Man : 24 ep , 2011 : super romantic, romeo juliet in Saeguk, when 2 opposite ministers's son and daughter fall in love and fight for their life, and happy ending as bonus, cast : moon chae won and park shi hoo
The Moon That Embraces the Sun ; 20 ep, 2012 : the story is romantic, a king who longed for his 1st love that mysteriously kill because of palace conspiracy , cast : kim soo hyun, han ga in, jung il woo
Arang and the Magistrate; 16 ep, 2012 : cute but full of mystery and well executed story about a magistrate that can see ghost and a virgin ghost that forget her life, they together uncover the secret of life and death cast : Shin Min Ah, Lee Jun Ki and God Yoo Seung Woo (literally play as heaven emperor)
Chuno, 24 ep, 2010 : heart tugging story about a slave hunter who chases a woman he loves . . top the end of the world, cast : lee da hae, jang hyuk
Sungkyungkwan Scandal, 20 ep; 2010 ; the Josen F4 is cute toghether, cast : yoo chun, yoo ah in, song jong ki, park min young
maybe it's 2008, but it's good
Hong Gil Dong : 24 episode ; 2008 : super funny and it's really good, cast; kang jihwan, jang geun seuk
I hope this helps
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August
March 4, 2016 at 8:00 AM
I'm on episode 5 of Chuno. The cinematography is really beautiful which elevates the drama's distinctive visual style. A rocking OST as the theme song. I have a feeling I'm in for a world of heartache and pain (which is one of the reasons I held off watching it for so long).
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sancheezy
March 5, 2016 at 12:10 AM
The pain is real,
I feel like Chuno make me exhausting since they keep running and running and running when I don't know where the feeling I invested will get paid.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 8:01 AM
I second Sancheezy's recs of The Princess' Man, Arang and the Magistrate and Sungkyunkwan Scandal. Adding a few of my own:
Three Musketeers: 12 eps (2014) yes, it's based on the Dumas novel but adapted to a Joseon setting. It's action-packed and hilarious, and does a good job of staying suspenseful. Also, great performances by Lee Jin-wook and Seo Hyun-jin, and a pretty good one by Jung Yong-hwa.
Tree with Deep Roots (2011): - this is like a prequel to Six Flying Dragons, and stars Song Joong-ki as the young King Sejong. Top-notch acting all around.
Splash Splash Love: 2 eps (2015) The story of a 21st-century high school senior who time travels through a puddle of water, all the way back to the era of a young King Sejong. Who thinks she is a eunuch. And only doesn't chop off her head because she's better at maths than he is, and he insists on being taught.
It's adorable, quirky and heartfelt, and the chemistry between Yoon Doo-joon and Kim Seul-gi is FIRE.
Bonus movie rec: War of the Arrows (2011). Utterly fantastic chase movie set during the second Manchu invasion of Korea, and is about a brother trying to save his sister who's been taken as a slave by the Manchus.
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Wag-a-muffin
March 4, 2016 at 2:58 PM
My favorite D-Drama is "history of a salaryman." (It's not historical. But I found it by accident and wasn't expecting anything. However, I still like it.)
I also loved "The Princess's Man. However, lots of people don't like the real life person who played the male lead. I watched it before his real life drama, however. It's a solid drama.
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Rachel
March 4, 2016 at 6:37 PM
Agreed on both your recommendations. History of A Salaryman is such an underrated comedy.
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bips99
March 4, 2016 at 9:45 PM
Thank you all for so many reccs. I used to think that historicals = 50 episodes saga. So many shows , so little time. What a wonderful problem to have !!
@Pogo -> i ended up watching splash yesterday. And it is the cutest thing ever. Thank you for pointing it out to me. How i wish it was longer!
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19 wapz
March 4, 2016 at 7:14 AM
Does anyone know the ost which was an instrumental that was played in jung's and inho's scenes?
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20 pebble
March 4, 2016 at 7:19 AM
Thanks so much HeadsNo2 for the open thread song from Clazziquai Project (feat. Kim Jin-pyo) – “Can’t Go On My Own”.
I love the pleasant mellow tone in Alex Chu's singing!
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kalel
March 4, 2016 at 8:12 AM
+1! My ears are softly touched by this kind of voices!
Thank you, HeadsNo2!
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cozybooks
March 4, 2016 at 1:44 PM
Yes, thanks!!
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pebble
March 4, 2016 at 4:05 PM
If you like his voice, watch this, it's a very nice ballad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIIQ0PfY1-s
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21 logan5
March 4, 2016 at 7:20 AM
Finally ... OMHE found the funny again.
On another note, we also got to watch a really good Jdrama from years past ... Orange Days ... if you haven't seen it, you should. I really do think Kdramas can learn a lessoon from Japan with their shorter dramas.
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kimchikay
March 4, 2016 at 9:07 AM
I posted about Orange Days last week - it was amazing!
Started Wakamonotachi with same lead actor this week and really liking it so far!
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logan5
March 4, 2016 at 12:42 PM
On the one hand I'd like to see a Kdrama version, but I know they'd over do the melodrama and completely skip over the real message about acceptance, fear and growth.
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Sajen
March 4, 2016 at 12:08 PM
I remember Orange Days that's the one where Shibasaki Kou plays a deaf violin player right?
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logan5
March 4, 2016 at 12:45 PM
yep
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22 ktiep
March 4, 2016 at 7:26 AM
Hi Beanies,
I only have a few minutes this morning, typical Friday with a special day trip planned. Last week we went to the Alabama Hills for my birthday. Amazing place. This week we're off to try to catch a glimpse of the Sierra Bighorn Sheep in the next canyon. They should be calving soon.
Only watching:
Descendants of the Sun--Love it, despite all the K-drama dramatic license. Song Joong-ki is the cutest thing. I am delighted with every close up. The stare! I will watch it to the end just to get my SJK fix.
One More Happy Ending--The story is still too angsty for me to enjoy it. I love the leads together though. They look real. Excellent acting. I've started not to care about all the side stories. They are moving along too slowly.
We Got Married--Last the last Ohye episode this past week and cried. And then after the show was over,I still cried off and on. I know I loved that couple, but I really think the continued crying was about the opportunity to cry. So now I have no reason to watch WGM. The new PD seems to want to make it more of a game show, which I find boring. I really loved how the Ohye couple wasabout the developing relationship. I mean, the went to couples' counseling for Pete's sake.
Gotta run out to see my sheep.
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23 ⭐ Sera The Ms Temper ⭐
March 4, 2016 at 7:30 AM
hello beanies!
No comments on drama, but will like to share that my So Eun has joined ( I hope it is confirmed ) Will Entertainment , similar with Lee Jin Wook & Kang Sora. I hope this year will open a door of success for her. please dramaland be fair to my princess ??? at least a little shine on her career.
I will pray for her success in a new journey.. ❤❤❤
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24 nana
March 4, 2016 at 7:37 AM
I find Baek In Na amazing. She's able to breakdown the door using a fire extinguisher. LOL.. never seen a kdrama character (male or female) ever done that, maybe it's normal in any OCN series but im a romcom girl.. so yeah...
Maybe im generalizing but one thing for sure an adaption of a still running manhwa/webtoon always end up in a mess. Example Goong.. sighhhh... i practically rewrote the last 2 eps in my head
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25 owl 🦉 🫰
March 4, 2016 at 7:41 AM
Good morning!
Cheese Fondue – I can’t remember how far back I stopped being on anyone’s side. I just didn’t want to be involved anymore. Maybe that’s what CITT did best – not being a black and white kdrama that made caring about a particular character(s) a clear and easy choice. Instead of rooting for Seol, In Ho, In Ha, or Jung, they all ultimately disappointed me that I just left them to their own devices. I had been caught up in considering each perspective as it was unveiled and allowed my emotions to be swayed episode after episode for a long time. By the time we got to the last 2 episodes this week I had stepped back enough to watch from the corner of my eye and could look away at will, even when the poisonous family imploded. In the end, they all stood in a circle, looked to the person on their right, and (I’m paraphrasing) said the same thing: “I’m sorry, I can’t undo the past, let’s part ways, this is the best I can do.” This actually let me wish them all well which, in the last 3 or 4 minutes (and a 3 year jump), happened. Best tip: bring along books, laptop, and dictionary on couples trip. You never know when you might want to “study.”
Moorim School – Are the 3.4 people watching it reading this? If so, please check out my recaps (click owl) ~ how many times and how many people have had the fire flashback? Never has a kdrama gotten so much mileage out of a scene, that’s for sure.
Come Back, Ahjussi – Rain, how low can you go (the camera, that is, on that body of his).
I watched Penny Pinchers (movie) which was a great segue to Descendants of the Son. DOTS has the feel of an old-fashioned war love story. It is quite charming.
Have a great weekend, yay!
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owl 🦉 🫰
March 4, 2016 at 7:43 AM
Descendants of the Sun, that is.
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gaeinalee
March 5, 2016 at 2:42 AM
..Rain, how low can you go..
Uhhh, he and the camera play surely gave us something to fantasize.. Sorry KTH. ^^
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26 graey
March 4, 2016 at 7:45 AM
So many shows to watch. So little time to do so. I've been waiting for Song Joong Ki, er, I mean DoTS and Ahjussi seems really interesting. But I've already got 3 dramas on my plate(too much for me and my attention span). That is good though. I want to stay away from live-watching after the whole Cheese brouhaha. TvN has a knack for buzzy endings lol.
Border - I love it! I don't know why I thought I wouldn't like it when I loved Conan so much. When I look up Jdoramas, they seem so uninteresting. Then I watch them. Then I eat my words and fall in love.
Cheese In The Trap - Don't know if I can watch the last three eps. But I will.
Marry Me or Not? - I think I like it. It took a while for me to adjust to it. I've only *actively* watched one other tw-drama and that one taught me that one should not be guilty for ff-ing. I really like the heroine and the romance is awesome. But I just can't seem to know whether they're going for comedy or for drama. I'm left confused and most times I feel disconnected.
Next on my list is Signal. I'll settle with two eps a week as others have recommended. Thanks to those beanies, I have realized why I couldn't stomach another ep of Punch after 10 or so eps. I loved it but I shouldn't have binge-watched it. Lesson learned. And I shall someday return to it.
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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉
March 4, 2016 at 8:22 AM
oh yessss, someone else who watched Border!
I loved it too, it started out good but then became sheer brilliance as it went on. That's such a rare experience in dramas.... and Oguri Shun turned in one hell of a performance.
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sorrynotsorry
March 4, 2016 at 2:52 PM
Loved it two. One of the rare ones that I'd take a 2nd season.
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alua
March 4, 2016 at 12:47 PM
<When I look up Jdoramas, they seem so uninteresting.
I never go by descriptions of jdramas. They can sound insanely dull ("This drama is about five young people watching paint drying") but be riveting. I go by writers + actors mainly.
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Sajen
March 4, 2016 at 5:55 PM
With the right actors Korean or Japanese I would watch a drama about 5 people watching paint dry.
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27 john
March 4, 2016 at 7:48 AM
Cheese: Sounds like a PD went rogue. Like a bull in a china shop. What a shame.
Glamorous Expectations: Subs are trickling in. Mi Rae awakes. Prime Minister has spells where dementia is setting in. Il Ju is trying to fool the PM while he's confused. Stay tuned.
Signal: The show I wait for every week. A+ work from cast and crew.
Dots: Pretty but not on my list although I watched 2 eps. Hope Kim Ji-won takes the sageuk with Taek. That would be pretty cute.
CBA: Like it so far, behind on latest ep.
C dramas: Imperial Doctress 2 Royal bros love the same girl.
Chronicle of Life: Royal & his BFF love the same girl, amnesia strikes girl but now she remembers,
Go Princess Go: LOL. Crazy
J dramas:
Gisou no fuufu: watched 1st ep. Amami Yuki can play eerie, slightly off center characters so well.
Kodoko no Gurume: Enjoy it so far.
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sancheezy
March 4, 2016 at 8:02 AM
Imperial doctress : I confess that I read too many spoiler from weibo and I really like the emperor, I do
Chronicle of Life : she remember? when? I just watch until ep 11 and I find it really funny when Kangxi-the emperor can't stand his concubines affection, all I read in his face is " too much girl, too much girl"
have you watched Bu Bu Jin Xin? cause it kinda show how their story will end, I still hope for a happy last episode though
Go Princess Go : when someone travel to ancient time, their name just change from Zhang Peng to Zhang Peng Peng, I love their crazyness
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john
March 4, 2016 at 8:39 AM
sancheezy ~
The actresses playing Peng Peng and Baby are just too much. PP is forever flirting with her. I heard China was making changes as far as what is acceptable topics in dramas and movies . Don't know the details but this is somewhat racy as far as dramas go, although this was a web drama. I did see that the authorities did yank Addiction, has it come back ? While Addiction isn't my cup of tea it's a shame that there is that sort of censorship.
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sancheezy
March 5, 2016 at 12:19 AM
Oh I really like Peng Peng act to Baby, s/he doesn't even care, s/he just said but Baby never understood anything.
The 9th prince and yang yang also a couple for me, they are ridiculously close.
I heard about the restriction too, they censored lots of thing about gay behaviour, but as I remember it wasn't finalized.
The law that get accepted is about : time travel in story shouldn't change history.
The censorship is become crazier I think, they cut the kiss and the lust scene in Hua Qian Gu: The Journey of flower when it was very important scene cause the immortal teacher finally show that he has human desire, for god sake, I hate when they did it, it's connected to the story
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alua
March 5, 2016 at 1:19 AM
Re China making changing as far as "acceptable topics":
http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/mar/04/china-bans-gay-people-television-clampdown-xi-jinping-censorship
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john
March 5, 2016 at 4:29 AM
alua ~
I saw this list of prohibited topics. This is troubling.
China’s new television rules ban homosexuality, drinking, and vengeance
Table122000
March 5, 2016 at 10:36 PM
I wonder if Korea will make changes to their dramas to fit the new China rules? Since China is such a big market-although can they abide by the "no drinking" rule in Korea?
kalel
March 4, 2016 at 8:17 AM
Go Princess Go, crazy indeed! I'm having a great time. I'm even smiling as I'm typing this comment. The show of the week for me :-)
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korfan
March 4, 2016 at 8:26 AM
John -
From little clips that I see of Glamorous, the Il Ju character just cracks me up. I don't think I've ever seen the actor who plays Il Ju, but he seems to be enjoying every minute of that role.
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 10:21 AM
You mean octopus head -Il Ju's man. I have seen him in a few dramas, usually as gangster and like. From what I have seen, this is the most significant (and nicest) character he's played. I love Il Ju and him in GT.
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 3:12 PM
oops big time. Il-ju is prime minister's daughter. Il-ju's man is Kwon Moo-hyuk who is ambiguous character (is he evil or not?), but I think I read he was enjoying his role (got the award too for his role last year).
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korfan
March 4, 2016 at 8:13 PM
fan -
Oops indeed!! I momentarily confused her and the husband. I was referring to him. His portrayal is certainly amusing at times.
korini
March 4, 2016 at 10:38 AM
I'm so happy you mentioned Gisou. I hope you like it. Personally I thought it was like watching theatre.
It's weird what you mentioned about Glamorous since these weeks, subs are coming (thank God in lightening speed).
I already finished with subs Chronicle and in spite of all problems, it was fine. What I'm starting to appreciate in C-dramas is that what you see is what you get. No unpleasant surprises, no rabbits from the hat.
Imperial seems to be improving but subs are soooo slow. Frankly I'm not "shipping" for either "majesties", one is beginning to get, well, crazy and the other has a good wife. If I were her, I'd take the good looking Mongolian.. LOL...
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 10:52 AM
LOL! "The PD went rogue." <-- can't stop laughing.
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28 kdramafan
March 4, 2016 at 8:39 AM
Hi ya all.
Wondering if we are in a KDrama drought.
Or is it just me?
I am particularly a romance fan and am just not feeling the love for or from any of the recent KDramas.
Is there anything out there that I should be watching?
Watching You From Another Star again on NF to get me through.
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mashimomo
March 4, 2016 at 9:33 AM
Have you tried watching Descendants of the Sun? If you're a fan of the writer's works (Secret Garden, Heirs, Gentleman's Dignity) then I would definitely recommend this one. I have a love/hate relationship with her dramas, but I'm on board with this one so far. It's most likely going to be one of the biggest dramas of the year, and the chemistry of Song Hye-kyo and Song Joon-ki are amazing.
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kdramafan
March 4, 2016 at 9:59 AM
Thanks Mashimomo.
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alua
March 4, 2016 at 12:44 PM
I'm with you. Not watching anything. And don't want to watch DoTS, because I'm allergic to the writer and the actors are not on my must-watch list (i.e. in the right drama I might watch some of them).
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kdramafan
March 5, 2016 at 4:10 AM
Alua, I hear you.
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29 Khule WY
March 4, 2016 at 8:43 AM
CHEESE IN THE TRAP - I don't get why everyone is pissed, They can't give away the ending out of respect for soonki 's request since the webtoon is not done , and there's no way Inho is end game,so open end
except
?
he read her mail?,we heard seol ah...to me it's pretty clear they find their way back together. What is annoying is Jung missing at the very end and even more annoying is the Special that was supposed to have unaired scenes but it was just bts that we already watched.
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30 dokutokunaneko
March 4, 2016 at 9:09 AM
Come back Mister is sooo entertaining. The story doesn't quite make sense; lots of plot holes and logical fails. But it has tons of heart and the characters are all awesome! Oh Yeon Seo is so funny and great as Han Hong Nan. Her story is a lot more engaging to me (probably the closest you can get to see 2 female characters' romantic storyline on a public broadcast channel in Korea), and her acting is top-notch (you believe that she is possessed by a grumpy gangster ajussi!) Rain went to town with the physical comedy - how I've missed him in comedy! It sucks that it has to go head to head with Descendants of the Sun - I'm sure that drama is good, but after being burned by Kim Eun Sook so many times I'm not sure if I'm ready to take another leap of faith. Hope Come back Mister will continue to be good and achieve cult status ^^
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mashimomo
March 4, 2016 at 9:38 AM
I'm enjoying Come Back Ahjussi as well! I think because the Father-Daughter relationship got to me on the first episode, and not having watched Oh Yeon Seo before I love her portrayal as a grumpy old man. I'm hoping the best so far for this one, since it is going toe-to-toe with DoTS which I'm watching as well and enjoying for different reasons.
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 10:24 AM
Oh Yeon Seo is the best! I watched Jang Bo-ri, that long weekend family drama where she was the heroine. She overacted there. And She did Shine, or go Crazy with Jang Hyuk, and I thought she was believable as woman-pretending-man. I think she is good at overacting.
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31 genkibaka
March 4, 2016 at 9:10 AM
I'm in love with Neighbourhood Lawyer after watching the teaser.
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32 redfox
March 4, 2016 at 9:32 AM
I was so busy I forgot Open Thread. I was looking for pictures and stories of Sea monsters. Vodjannõi, Umibozu, tritons, water centaurs, leviathans and all kind of weird creature. We are having a workshop on the 12th of march in Fat Margaret tower, the Maritime Museum, and drawing sea monsters in ink and colored pencils.
But this is important, really: I think I might have become a sasaeng? Help? I mean there is this singer, a very young an sweet one, with a silky low voice. He is participating in our Eurovision National Selection and just released the video for his song, and I was at the event you know the presentation, and I got so damn flustered, I wanted to take a picture like a total fan girl and I messed up the settings and had to fundle with my camera in front of everyone, and I just... I think I looked like a middle aged lunatic. and then I sent a tweet like the second I got home, some stupid bla-bla-bla what to do, this is not normal. but I mean, I send messages to all the bands I like so... it is probably not serious? right? I still have hope?
how are you as a fan? that´s the question today, if anyone still reads this.
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sunnyl
March 4, 2016 at 10:31 AM
how are you as a fan?- I did only once. I did fan-girling once for Bi/Rain when I watched 'Sangdoo Let's go to school'. I put his picture on the refrig, and my family laughed at me. I was ridiculed. Thank god, it didn't last long. I got over him around the time 'Full house' came along.
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redfox
March 4, 2016 at 10:52 AM
BUT YOUR USERNAME.
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whatsthescenario
March 5, 2016 at 7:20 PM
LMAO, this shade right here! hahahhaahahaha
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CaroleMcDonnell
March 4, 2016 at 10:55 AM
oh my! You've got it bad! I think it's just one of those human things.. we can't help but like some people..and then, well, "act out." I hope he writes you back.
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redfox
March 4, 2016 at 11:04 AM
Caroleeeee..... ! Noooo. do you really think... I am...
my hope: many guys, also guys over thirty, are among his avid fans as well. even a rap musician tweets him regularly (how do I know? how do you think...)
It´s just my way though. I don´t follow actors or artists like that, but music turns me slightly crazy.
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redfox
March 4, 2016 at 11:19 AM
as to dramas, I have so many things to do and if I can´t concentrate, I cannot watch especially dramas like Signal - I tune in, and then something comes up and I have to pause and it is just not working. all good though... and still there are no subbed episodes of Youth over Flowers Africa!!!
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logan5
March 4, 2016 at 2:55 PM
When i was 6, my mom took me to a Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back signing event ... Darth Vader and C3P0 was there ... I slept with the poster on my bed for days.
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korfan
March 4, 2016 at 11:14 PM
refox -
Naaaah, you're ok.
But if Ji Sung went to Estonia for a visit ......
Right?
:)
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redfox
March 5, 2016 at 2:34 AM
I know. I am not even sure if I would go "OPPAAAA!" or just raise my eyebrow and ask suspiciously: "SHIN Se Gi?" in a very high pitch voice. Or if I would just cling to him like a koala and shout: "I LOVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!"
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korfan
March 5, 2016 at 7:49 AM
*giggling*
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Delurker
March 5, 2016 at 5:20 AM
My understanding is that you only cross the sasaeng line when the following becomes literal :-) . However, I'll be sure to keep an eye on the Estonian Eurovision entry this year, just out of curiosity :-p
About your question, I am not the sasaeng type (even if I lived within stalking distance of anyone), but I would probably make a big exception for Korean artists if they showed up around here. I don't want to imagine a DoTS situation :-)
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redfox
March 5, 2016 at 11:26 AM
well, the voting is on now, I am twweting and campaigning like a crazy person and using all the aegyo I still have left. Wish with all yur might Jüri Pootsmann would win, the world needs to hear him! his voice is a dream!
(yeah I know, I am a gonner)
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redfox
March 5, 2016 at 12:33 PM
HE WON!!!!!! HE IS GOING TO EUROVISION! TAKING A PICTURE WITH ME DID NOT BRING BAD LUCK OH THANK GOODNESS
NOW it is hopeless for me. omg
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Delurker
March 5, 2016 at 5:28 PM
Hahaha congratulations; just checked on the guy. will keep an eye on his performance :-) .
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33 korini
March 4, 2016 at 11:07 AM
OK, for the first time in a really, really long time I watch all dramas in Wed-Thu program.
Descendants: God, I have so many problems with the writer as usual but she always makes me giggle or hold my breath. By the way, what's up with the church? All interior shots under a cross? Makes me feel sacriligeous for having hoped for a kiss in there but thankfully came in the hotel. And come on, in the same episode you have coffee in mountainous Arahova and walk in the beach of the shipwreck in Zakynthos? Really? Though I've seen in a Bollywood movie the actor going from Mykonos to Athens in a car. In a convertible car! And why did I not go over there to David McInnis and my beloved Song Joong-Ki? WHY?
Come back Mister: I loved it! Really, truly, honestly. But there are so many personages there, such a zany rythm, so many stories and as the drama had the back luck to face off Descendants, I fear it's bound to get sour. God, I hope it doesn't.
I finished Chronicle from cdramas and I have to admit that the treat of my week was Bromance Episode 19, the recap. That drama was the epitome of "whatever", but so much fun.
Time to get back to Glamorous more actively since, sniff, I Have a Lover ended. Oh show, your faithful fan will miss you very much. You were so worth my time.
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34 kimchikay
March 4, 2016 at 11:42 AM
Well this is totally not drama related but I still want to share....I signed up for a Korean-English language exchange in my hometown. I figure, I have some down time so might as well get better with another language and of course, I chose Korean. I've contacted a few people, hoping someone gets back to me!!! I sound crazy, but I'm SO EXCITED to have a REAL LIVING (possible) friend who is (hopefully) into Kdrama's as much as me!!
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35 Ayan
March 4, 2016 at 11:59 AM
Hello beanies!!
Thank you to all of you that mentioned take care of my refrigerator with Jung joon young a few threads ago, I hadnt watched the variety show before and I really liked it! Plus Lee sun kyun starred in the next eoisode , my friends still tease me about Pasta! I really hope he makes a drama comeback soon or releases an audiobook... ?
WGM- ah man oh yeah couple, what a perfect way to end the virtual marriage. I hope they end up going on that trip together. I know I mentioned in the last thread, that iwoudnt watch the show anymore.
But song ji hyo and bolin Chen, so curious to what it would be like. Does anyone know the best pace to watch the episodes and when it will be aired?
Madam Antoine ???
One more happy ending - so plesed that da Jung and her husband are making a go of it. Also is ae-rans husband acting like a bad guy to keep
Her interested, or was he like that from the start and pretended to be a nice guy.
Signal , really good, very behind as I don't have the energy or time to watch it. Plus my only drama watching is in the evening, not the best thing to watch before bed.
ROTS - will be heartbroken when seojun and soeon have to leave the show!!! Sarang's departure will be sad, but it's a good time for her to leave before she starts school properly.
Cheer up adjussi, hilarious, thank you db for creating the drama hangout!
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MapleSilver
March 4, 2016 at 1:05 PM
Heh! You and me both on Lee Sun Kyun. Fell super hard after Pasta. Hoping against hope he'd make a drama comeback. It's looking less and less likely everyday.
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Rachel
March 4, 2016 at 6:39 PM
Then I'm sure you've seen Miss Korea. He was excellent in that drama, as was Lee Sung Min.
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Ayan
March 5, 2016 at 2:09 AM
Yes Miss Korea was great and I still listen to the OST, I think it aired in 2013 so surely its time for Sunkyun to make a drama comeback. I'm looking forward to watching Sung Min's drama Memory when it airs.?
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Ayan
March 5, 2016 at 2:11 AM
I know, maybe he is planning a return towards the later half of the year. Fingers crossed anyway!!
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36 Ayan
March 4, 2016 at 12:02 PM
So sorry for the typos!!
Also wanted to ask if anyone has news of the Thai going remake by true vision productions? Wasn't it due to air in February?
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37 Amy
March 4, 2016 at 12:15 PM
I hav alrdy commntd....but I cant see it...is it deleted...I didn't share any link or anything....
I'm currently watching only CBA. its really really funny and good. atleast for now. even 4 eps are too early to say whether a drama is good
I couldn't watch last 2 eps of cheese...and i dropped MA and Neighbourhood Lawyer midway. maybe I will go bak once they finished the series. I am also waiting for signal to finish.
I hav a thing or two for thrillers and action dramas with a tiny bit of romance. I hav alrdy watchd VAm Pr 1&2 sp af ten, healer, missing noir, ghost seeing det, iris 1, Dr frost, who r u, hidn idnty, bad gys, my beautiful brd, LMFD, liar game, u r all surrounded, punch, nice guy....if hav missed anything worth seeing plz suggest...
I tried city hunter but couldn't finish....i also wanted to see so ji sub's ghost but the pairing in the final ep turned me off. I heard its pretty gud...somebdy plz convinc me.
also pls suggest something that is not too melo and cheesy
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38 vanity0326
March 4, 2016 at 12:41 PM
Like bips99, CIIT was my first live to air drama and my first time commenting on DB in the CIIT recap comments.
I enjoyed the discussions! After my disappointmental with CIIT, I binge watched Secret Garden for the feels. And I am wary about starting another live to air series.
This weekend, I will finish ep.9, 10 and 11 of Bad Guys and try to get through ep 1 of Ruler of the World. This will be my 3rd time on episode 1.
Happy Friday!
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39 Aigoooo
March 4, 2016 at 1:05 PM
Hi all!
Just stopped by to see what's up. Still not watching any dramas aside from skimming through DB's recaps of CITT (seemed to have dodged that bullet and saved me 16 hours). Back is still hurting. Can't stand for more than 5 minutes. Hurts to sit and lie down unless I find some magical sweetspot. lol The biggest pain by far is my insurance company though. lmao
Oh, yeah, got totally hooked on this variety show called Produce 101. So I've been battling it out with a bunch of teenyboppers, trying to decide who would be best idol material. LOL My life's so pathetic right now. LOL
Have a nice weekend!
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owl 🦉 🫰
March 4, 2016 at 1:54 PM
The highlight is JGS as MC of Produce 101. Sorry about the added excruciating pain of your insurance company. Hope it all gets better soon.
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40 cozybooks
March 4, 2016 at 2:01 PM
Nothing new this week, really. I officially have housing for college, will find out in a week about Sterling Scholar, and finished watching I Hear Your Voice two nights ago. So good. :) So so good.
Signal=Love
Big Man: I actually really, really liked the first two episodes. A lot. It takes some suspension of disbelief to handle the 'we want your heart so you're our son now' bit, but I actually really enjoyed it.
Anyway, I only really wanted to post this week I haven't been able to stop thinking about the teasers for Memory. Holy cow, they were amazing. I keep going back to the moment he's on the pier, and the water seems to bleed together until he's just... lost in grayish blue. So so good. I don't want Signal to end (ah it hurts my heart just to think it), but I'm hopeful that Memory will be good.
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41 JSinQueens
March 4, 2016 at 3:22 PM
Hi Beanies!
I have been watching kdramas for a few years now (ever since taking a World Television class in grad school), but I almost never watch shows live so I can't post here. I finally had some time to live-watch and started with CITT. Boy did I get burned!! There are a few lessons to be learned by other production teams\PDs from this mess so I hope they do such as: Don't forget the audience. Just because you get distracted by a pretty butterfly (Seo Kang Joon\Baek In Ho), you don't have the right to self indulgently hijack your own show and change it from the story that was promised to viewers to begin with. Also, don't start judging your characters and the audience by extension. I think one reason people - including myself - were so angry is that it seemed we were being judged and then punished for being sympathetic to Yoo Jung. This annoys me more than anything.
Oh well, moving on. I saw a good Korean film recently which is a rarity. I only watch Korean films because I know the actors from dramas, but I usually don't like them. However, I went to a screening hosted by Dramafever of the movie Like for Likes and I enjoyed it. The movie is a lightweight rom-com about three couples, but it manages the task of being genuinely funny throughout. I liked all three couples and they each had unique stories. The cast for the movie is fantastic - Yoo Ah In, Lee Mi Yeon, Kim Joo Hyuk, Choi Ji Woo, Kang Ha Neul and Esom. It will be on Dramafever (premium) in a few months in case people can't catch it in theaters.
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42 makoto
March 4, 2016 at 4:06 PM
as another dissappointed viewer of CIIT, I thought a lot to try to accept the weird ending as makes sense as possible. So I came to this conclusion... maybe, just maybe... CIIT is actually the prekuel of Bad Guys. You see... in CIIT Dad planted the seeds of psychopathic to Jung. and then Jung (who added 'moon' to his name, so he's Jung Moon now), became the real psychopath. lol.
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43 Barbrey
March 4, 2016 at 4:57 PM
I've watched so many kdramas, and a few Chinese and Japanese ones too, this year, having been a newbie before that. I don't really like the sageuks but the ones I've liked have been real fusion with resourceful heroines. I'm looking for one now. Can anyone recommend something in the vein of these ones:
Shine or Go Crazy - that smart, resourceful businesswoman/princess
Prince of LanLing - same only she's a scientist
Perfect Couple - same except she's a commoner martial artist
Gu Family Book - also good with arms
Sungkyung (sp) Scandal - really enjoyed her character
The above are about the only kind of sageuks I enjoy. Pure fun, great love stories, and resourceful women. Please let me know if there are some gems I might have missed along this vein.
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Delurker
March 5, 2016 at 5:34 AM
The obvious one is Empress Ki, if you haven't seen it yet; 50 episodes, but you won't notice. Unlike in most shorter Kdramas, she is a strong character who stays strong throughout. I think "pure fun, great love stories and resourceful women" is exactly the plot description :-)
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Barbrey
March 7, 2016 at 10:16 AM
Thank you for the recommendation! Let me know if you think of any others. : )
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44 snickers
March 4, 2016 at 7:27 PM
cdramas:
Legend of Lu Zhen aka Female Prime Minister
Sound of the Desert
Imperial Doctress: Takes a while but she becomes very resourceful and useful on battlefield and as a POW.
kdrama:
A very popular older drama Dae Jang Geum.
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snickers
March 4, 2016 at 7:28 PM
Post 44 was supposed to be a reply to @Barbrey post 43.
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Barbrey
March 4, 2016 at 7:32 PM
Thanks Snickers!
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45 logan5
March 5, 2016 at 2:10 PM
I'm going to leave this right here ... have fun ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEOy62YZOpM
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Barbrey
March 7, 2016 at 10:18 AM
lol
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