Open Thread #633
by mary
Happy Friday everyone!
Here is your Open Thread, which is here for you to chat about anything you want, whether it be drama-related or not. Nothing’s off-topic here! Spoilers may be rife, so proceed accordingly.
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1 cherry 🍒
December 6, 2019 at 6:12 AM
Happy Friday, Beanies!
What was the worst drama/film/show you were willing to watch for your favourite actor/actress despite knowing beforehand it was a total trainwreck?
For me it was Big with Gong Yoo. Everybody complained how stupid the drama was and yet I didn’t forward any scenes and diligently completed it by the sheer power of love I have for GY 😂 I really wanted to smash something by the end of the drama! Because of that drama I haven’t watched any Hong Sisters dramas since then.
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KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 6:40 AM
I suppose for me it would be Memories of Alhambra coz of Hyun Bin. I enjoyed the initial episodes until I lost patience with the poor characterisation of the female lead and the plot. Like you, I also wanted to smash something real bad but I still watched it to the bitter end. All for oppa and a bean.
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shach
December 6, 2019 at 6:46 AM
None really, I tried but dropped faster then hot potato.
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WishfulToki
December 6, 2019 at 6:51 AM
I never seem to know if they’re trainwrecks beforehand, but I have plodded on through disappointing dramas to the bitter end for favourite actors: HWARANG.
I do that much less nowadays, as I’ve learned to drop dramas more ruthlessly. And lately I choose dramas more because of plot then actors.
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KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 7:01 AM
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Hear! Hear! No matter how much I love Ji Chang Wook, I couldn’t bring myself to finish watching K2 or even watch “Melting with You” after reading beanies’ bad reviews.
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KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 7:03 AM
Urghhh... My block quote didn’t work... I was agreeing to “And lately I choose dramas more because of plot then actors”
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cherry 🍒
December 6, 2019 at 7:57 AM
I was willing to watch Big back in 2013 but nowadays I’m very picky about what to watch. I used to watch 20 dramas a year, nowadays it’s less than 10.
The plot and creative team behind the drama is more important to me now too, I guess it’s happening naturally as I become older 😀
For example I’m never going to watch anything from the Memories of Alhambra writer ever again, she’s on my eternal blacklist. Sorry for my swearing but I was f****ng pissed off whenever Park Shin Hye appeared onscreen. I’ve never watched a more pointless female lead before 🤬
Edgar Pordwed
December 6, 2019 at 7:29 AM
Heirs!
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DoubleFault
December 6, 2019 at 7:33 AM
I know the last two eps were great but Uncontrollably Fond was very hard to watch. I plodded along mainly because of KWB.
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bbstl
December 6, 2019 at 8:09 AM
Definitely Jekyll, Hide which I stuck with for Hyun Bin. Ugh, it was awful!
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cherry 🍒
December 6, 2019 at 8:32 AM
I guess you really love HB, I dropped it after 4 episodes because I couldn’t stand how awful and abysmal it was. I feel sorry for everyone who was involved. Maybe because of this drama I really dislike Han Jin Min for awhile until Familiar Wife make me like her back.
It seems to me Hyun Bin has a terrible taste in dramas, he’s so good in films but I haven’t liked a single drama he was in (I hated Secret Garden too).
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bbstl
December 6, 2019 at 8:36 AM
I do really love him. But I loved Secret Garden, too 😝
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javinne
December 6, 2019 at 11:29 AM
LOL!!! "I hated Secret Garden too"!!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
You just made me laughed!
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Desponia
December 7, 2019 at 3:10 AM
What about "My name is Kim Sam Soon"? It was one of the first kdramas I watched and I loved it.
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bbstl
December 7, 2019 at 6:27 AM
It’s the single greatest Kdrama ever!!! But I’m exceedingly prejudiced 😉
Thank you for mentioning it!😁
wapz
December 7, 2019 at 6:32 AM
Also probably has the best second male lead in kdramas but thay one isn't for the female lead so no sls.
CaroleMcDonnell
December 6, 2019 at 8:11 AM
None. I'm useless at forcing myself to watch stuff i don't like. Which is of course different from hate-watching because hate-watching is at least fun.
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bbstl
December 7, 2019 at 6:29 AM
*snort* I didn’t count the hate watches either (cough, Arthdal!)
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neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
December 6, 2019 at 8:18 AM
I thought I sacrificed a lot for the love of oppa but after trying to recall all dramas, I have none. Guess oppa love isn't as strong as I thought it is.
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Lixie
December 6, 2019 at 8:33 AM
I think Lee Min Ho is the only I can blame for making me complete crazy shows. I'm not even a fan but there is something that makes me not drop him. If I lasted through BOF I think he can choose anything.
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suk
December 6, 2019 at 8:39 AM
I never see this one mentioned but Lucky Romance for Ryu Jun-yeol. I would watch it all over again if it meant his return to the small screen. Even though the female lead was completely unwatchable.
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bbstl
December 6, 2019 at 4:19 PM
That’s a really good one, I made it to the end for him too 😍 I’ve tried to forget the show and just remember him!
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suk
December 6, 2019 at 5:30 PM
I think it might have traumatized him so he's avoiding K-dramas. I mean his movies are pretty good, but I can't forget his legendary beginning in 1988!
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bbstl
December 7, 2019 at 6:24 AM
*laughing* maybe that explains where he’s been! I miss him.
kiara
December 6, 2019 at 9:08 AM
For 2018 dramas.
1. PRETTY NOONA - love and hate. The writing didn't do it for me. I'm still not a fan of the writer even after ONE SPRING NIGHT. Love PD Ahn Pan-seok and Son Ye-jin.
2.RETURN - Too bad for Go Hyun-jung.
3. MAMA FAIRY -finished it for Moon Chae-won.
2019
1. ARTHDAL - Dear Song Joong-ki. I admire the loyalty but pick something better next please.
2. ABYSS - Park Bo-young please get a better agent?
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Kurama
December 6, 2019 at 9:23 AM
Park Bo Young didn't renew her contract with her old agency.
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mango
December 6, 2019 at 9:36 AM
The Time We Were Not In Love for Ha Ji Won. I learned my lesson and dropped Hospital Ship really fast. I hope the same won't happen with Chocolate.
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mmmmm
December 6, 2019 at 10:15 AM
I watched Beauty Inside and finished that for Seo Hyun-jin though I sensed that it wouldn't be going anywhere from the start until the end. I mean, that was an exhausting journey, and I dearly hope she chooses better projects next time.
(Still haven't begun the Black Dog because I am too afraid of her previously chosen projects. I couldn't finish Temperature of Love because I wasn't convinced by the acting of the male lead.)
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lexyk
December 6, 2019 at 10:57 AM
Same here! Seo Hyun Jin is one of my fave actresses but i couldnt finish beauty inside (the plot was a bit weak I think) and temperature of love (because of the second lead). Also hoping for this project to be her "redemption". Lol.
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javinne
December 6, 2019 at 11:26 AM
I guess the closest I am of that description would be when I watched D-Day because I love Jung So min, and I hated the second half of the show because it was all about hospital politics and I even hated the final episode the most because more than the half of it was scenes with the bad doctor who of course was the director of the hospital and he even got to have a redemption arc, kind of, which you could never believe anyway.... 😒 just because he got sick, if I am not mistaken.
I hate it.
The drama could have been sooo good, but they ruined it. Plus, it was like 20 episodes...
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owl
December 6, 2019 at 12:48 PM
Heirs for me. Those sweaters!
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Tizzy
December 6, 2019 at 4:59 PM
Yeah, Heirs for me just because of LMH. However, I didn’t watch his dramas after that.
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owl
December 6, 2019 at 5:06 PM
I liked the legend of the blue sea!
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Tizzy
December 6, 2019 at 10:54 PM
You did? I think I watched one episode. Maybe I should resume.
Kwan
December 8, 2019 at 12:35 PM
I did too. I think it is Lee Min Ho's best to date. But then Jun always makes any drama good.
Yn00na
December 6, 2019 at 1:15 PM
None 😝 I have too many Oppas in my fave collection now. So is one Oppa happened to done badly (CJW, I'm looking at you), I'd rather just drop it so i can forgive and forget faster. I'd rather spend my time and energy for my other Oppas.
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misty
December 6, 2019 at 4:49 PM
Stuck till the bitter end of K2 for Ji Chang Wook (was so enamoured by Healer back then, like many beanies).
Never again! Life is too short! That is why I did not bother with Melting Me Softly.
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Ally
December 6, 2019 at 5:30 PM
I don’t have one yet. I still haven’t watched BIG even though Gong Yoo is in it. My love for actors hasn’t gotten me through a bad drama yet.
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Martin J Simwaba
December 7, 2019 at 6:14 AM
I was willing to watch W because of Lee Jong Suk but couldn't get past Ep 8
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Kwan
December 8, 2019 at 12:31 PM
For me it would have to be, Sorry I Love You. I absolutely love So Ji Sub, but it was a real struggle to get through that depressing drama. Even, Something Happened in Bali, wasn't as depressing as SILY! SILY was so bad for me that I try to wipe the memory that I watched it from my mind.
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2 TurtuallySarcastic
December 6, 2019 at 6:14 AM
Happy weekend and Sattoo to all Beanies! 😀
I got a VVIP ticket for Day6 in Paris early January, hurray!😀 Not only will I have a decent view of the stage (severely nearsighted and short, so big screens do not help much), but a high touch with the 5 members and a signed CD is included! 😀 Unfortunately my friend only succeeded to get a VIP ticket because of server problems. She will have a nice view and high touch as well, and I am willing to share the signed CD she will not get, but we are worried that we will be separated since I am VVIP and she is VIP. 😐 We already went to Ravi last year and GOT7 last October, both in London. We are trying Paris for a change, because we both wanted to get rid of the bad impression this city left on us after previous trips, and it saves us a lot of time and expenses in comparison to London city trips, not to mention the Brexit hassle.
Cabin fever plagued me this week, so I started taking 10 minute walks around the block during office hours. It allows me to walk around in sweatpants without encountering anyone. 😉 The fresh air also did wonders, because it exhausted my body and at the same time energized my brain enough to continue the day in happy spirits. I hope to turn this into another habit until I find a job.
I got caught up with Pegasus Market right in time for the latest episode this weekend. Next week I will try to catch up on No Second Chances and I believe that will be it for 2019. I predict busy weeks with the holidays and job hunting/work afterwards, so there will only be time to finish Rookie Historian with my friend and No Second Chances episodes on weekends. Through my excessive reading I have also started to miss watching movies, and if I do end up with more time than I originally planned, I think I might prefer going through my movie list to debating which K-drama to watch for a change.
First there are the end of the year polls and reviews to look forward to! 😊 I have been writing this entry in my mind all year, but real life kept changing details that forced me to change the theme time and time again. Fingers crossed I get some definite job news soon, I have to write and send it in for real in time! 😉
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WishfulToki
December 6, 2019 at 6:23 AM
Silly me thought VVIP was just a kdrama thing. I didn’t know it exists in real life. 🙈
Sattoo to you too! Can’t wait for the final episode! 😊
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TurtuallySarcastic
December 6, 2019 at 8:11 AM
I am experiencing a slight withdrawal after gobbling up the second half this week! I feel you! ;)
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saturtledaisy
December 6, 2019 at 7:03 AM
Congratulations on your day6 ticket!! Ill be going to the Brussels and Amsterdam concerts~
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TurtuallySarcastic
December 6, 2019 at 8:09 AM
Nice! I will jump up and down in spirit from my bedroom on those dates! ;)
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Ally
December 6, 2019 at 7:27 AM
Congrats!!! You will have so much fun! I saw them in Dallas! No hitouch or anything, but it was still phenomenal!
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TurtuallySarcastic
December 6, 2019 at 8:10 AM
Artists like them do not need a hitouch to be phenomenal indeed, but that does not mean that I am trading my ticket! ;)
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bbstl
December 6, 2019 at 8:11 AM
You are inspiring me to start taking walks!
Have a great time at the concert!
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TurtuallySarcastic
December 6, 2019 at 8:16 AM
Thank you! I hope you can find out what works for you and start walking soon (if you still want to of course)! :)
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halfmoon
December 6, 2019 at 8:41 AM
*fingers heart* sattoo !
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mango
December 6, 2019 at 9:43 AM
Congrats for your ticket! I'm going to the Paris concert too :D
I got a tribune ticket since it was the cheapest haha If you read some French fans tweets, lots of them complain about the price and fear the concert's organisation won't go well.
Still, I hope you will make better memories in Paris through the concert.
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TurtuallySarcastic
December 6, 2019 at 11:05 AM
Now I am morally obliged to pester you after the concert for a second opinion, brace yourself :p
Many K-pop concerts in Europe have/had a messy organisation, so I can understand why they would worry. ;) Thank you for your best wishes, I keep hearing good stuff about Paris, so it is a shame that I cannot agree with it (yet) ;)
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mango
December 6, 2019 at 2:43 PM
Haha I will gladly talk about the concert 😊
I just hope it will go more smoothly this time around. I'm not that fond of Paris, like any French person who doesn't live there, but it's a nice city to visit.
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3 Purpleink🐼
December 6, 2019 at 6:27 AM
Happy Friday to all Beanies!
I'm down the rabbit hole of AMA and I'm loving the crazyness of Gu Yanzhen, even though I'm getting serious panda eyes 🐼 Thanks Beanies who is spazzing with me! ❤❤ Also thanks Beanies who first posted all the gifs of Gu Yanzhen that made me curious about the drama in the first place, it's a wonderful rabbit hole.
I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, my throat is sore and I'm a bit dizzy. Had a meeting yesterday that stressed me out a bit, hopefully things will turn out okay from it - but it's too early to tell.
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wapz
December 6, 2019 at 6:52 AM
AMA is a crackfest and so is Gu Yanzhen. I actually realised I wasn't a Yanzhen fan untill he lessened some of his silly actions in the latter episodes. That's where I realized that he carries a good part of the show despite there being many other storylines. I'd also like to say that this is the first show where I hardly found any difference between the male and female characters. All of them were sarcastic, funny, witty, strong also emotional when required all while being real. I have noticed that Asian dramas do tend to put that this is a female this is a male label on characters through their actions, AMA didn't mostly. I didn't see those very obvious differences and all characters seemed equally human.
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canxi
December 6, 2019 at 11:03 PM
Yes, almost done and I'm realizing a lot of the development I wanted for Yanzhen is being shoved into the ending episodes. He's a fool in love and that can be funny but also I wished he had a bit more direction and some motivation and not only when ish hits the fan lol.
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wapz
December 6, 2019 at 11:20 PM
Yeah but well I don't rewatch for the story anyway. It's only for him (his silly antics) or the entire squad girls and boys included. Story development wise the show is weak but character development is still done well even if a little haphazard or quick for some.
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canxi
December 7, 2019 at 12:28 AM
Character development is OK just comes so late into the game.
KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 7:07 AM
Get well soon and hope things go your way. Fighting! 💪🏻💪🏻
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Purpleink🐼
December 6, 2019 at 12:23 PM
Thank you so much!❤ I really need things to go well now haha 😅 This year have been horrible for me so I really need some good news soon.
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ApplesAreAce
December 6, 2019 at 7:54 AM
Ah! I so enjoyed that drama! The gender bender trope is one of my favorites and I could spot shades of my favorite Kdrama Sungkyunkwan Scandal in it. Finished it in three days haha! I dedicated a whole weekend's worth of insomnia to it and enjoyed every minute of it. Been a long time since my last obsession with Nirvana 2.
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Purpleink🐼
December 6, 2019 at 12:22 PM
Sungkyunkwan Scandal was one of my early dramas, so good! It was close for me to do the same in the beginning, but I really want to savor it so I'm trying not to watch too many episodes at a time 🙈
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ApplesAreAce
December 6, 2019 at 2:31 PM
I admire your restraint and strength of character! Haha! Fighting!😁
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halfmoon
December 6, 2019 at 8:44 AM
A little bit of honey drink, Gu Yangzhen ogling, and some rest, and I hope you'll feel better!
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Purpleink🐼
December 6, 2019 at 12:16 PM
Yes Dr.Halfmoon 🐼 Sounds like the remedy I need right now, and thank you! 😊
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neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
December 6, 2019 at 8:51 AM
Happy to spazz AMA with you too Purpleink!
Eat some apples (without candle) and some porridge and also some Gu Yanzhen (?) to help with the dizziness or will it? Anyways, get well soon~~~
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Purpleink🐼
December 6, 2019 at 12:20 PM
Aw ❤❤❤
I lol'd and now my throat is even more sore now 😂🙈 Gu Yanzhen to help (or worsen, who knows?🤣) my dizziness. Sadly no appels at home, and the porridge is for tomorrows tinner apperently so that is off limits for now 😭But I'll make some honey tea and watch some AMA and continue to rest now 🐼
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4 Kairoskat 💐
December 6, 2019 at 6:35 AM
Hi bean people! Hope everyone had a happy week and will have a happy weekend too~
I was on vacation for the whole week. Vacation time was awesome and I'm sad that it's over. Work next week! 😱
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Kairoskat 💐
December 6, 2019 at 7:08 AM
VB final recap is out and I didn't have a meltdown which is a good thing. I don't know if I can award a bean to VB since I didn't really watch ep 15-16 and ffwd so much 😅.
But (there's always a but 😂)....I'm thankful to VB, I was entertained to some extent, did loads of spinoffs which was fun and it had KTW 🌻. I also upgraded to loan shark during it's run while commenting about sunflower rock on @msrabbit's errand boy post, on Sungrok Day to boot~ ahahaha. I have fond memories of VB despite the absence of character development, plot and lack of KTW airtime. VB thank you for the memories, now I'll try to avoid any new dramas from the writer(s).
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5 michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 6:38 AM
@bcampbell1662 @rareniva thank you for the book recommendation last week- Study in Scarlet by Sherry Thomas (aka female Sherlock series) was REALLY GOOD.
I’ve finished 3 of the books and am awaiting the fourth one to arrive at my library so I can pick it up and devour it.
Must admit I was a bit stunned when I realised the author actually writes romance novels. I tried one of her other books but really not my cup of tea. But her Sherlock series is daebak! So thank you all for that.
Any other book recommendations? I seem to be gravitating more to books than dramas lately.
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beantown
December 6, 2019 at 6:55 AM
I LOVE the Tana French series. It starts with In The Woods, and they need to be read sequentially. They are like the best kdramas, so much bigger than what they appear....they haunt me for months
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michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 7:17 AM
I just went to look for it online and... It sounds scary.
I’m a scaredy cat. Will I be able to sleep if I read it? I do most of my reading at night 🙈
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beantown
December 6, 2019 at 7:21 AM
They're actually more thoughtful than scary, she was originally a playwright, so the Dublin murder squad is the stage setting (or starting point);
they are mostly about our interaction with each other.
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michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 7:23 AM
Ok I will cautiously check them out... starting in the day at first. Haha
HugosHalmoni
December 16, 2019 at 6:41 PM
I'm also a scaredy cat. It's not just violence, but intensity and suspense. I'm a huge Agatha Christie fan, and although her stories can be intense, it's removed enough from today's vernacular, that they don't have the same impact. I enjoyed the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. Learned a lot about WW1 without feeling as if I was reading non-fic. I did drop that series when it got all spy-fic - pre WW2.
I also like Bryant & May series by Christopher Fowler - very British dry humor with quirky characters - my catnip. Contemporary, some serious violence, but not frequent in each story.
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shach
December 6, 2019 at 7:03 AM
Donna Andrews Meg Langslow series is my happy pill https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/60646.Donna_Andrews
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michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 7:22 AM
Wow she has written a lot of books in this series! I shall check it out. And if I’m far far down the rabbit hole next week I will have you to blame.. I mean thank for it! 😝
The friend of mine who constant complains I’m whining too much about being bored at home will definitely thank you tho. Haha
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shach
December 6, 2019 at 7:54 AM
I shall take the blame happily ;)
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ApplesAreAce
December 6, 2019 at 8:07 AM
I heard book recommendations and Donna Andrew's and had to jump in by asking if you've ever read the Domestic Diva series by Krista Davis if you like Cozies. It has a similar quirky charm feel to it. Lately Cozies and fantasy are the only books I'm reading as I just really discovered Brandon Sandersons Stormlight Archives ( I'm probably committing heresy by admitting wasn't that interested in the Mistborn series but I think I will try again).Anyway, I recommend the Lardy Darby series for anyone that enjoys a great period history mystery
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ApplesAreAce
December 6, 2019 at 8:47 AM
Oh my goodness!(this almost became oh my goodness but I caught it! Whew!) I dont know how to edit my comments yet (can you? It's been over three years since I've been here and have watched few dramas those long and desolate years) so Lady Darby is going to have to remain Lardy until I figure this out.
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ApplesAreAce
December 6, 2019 at 8:50 AM
I give up. My typos that I was pointing out have now corrected themselves and I look like an idiot. Ignore this all please.
Yn00na
December 6, 2019 at 1:26 PM
I enjoyed both Mistborn and Stormlight series. I used to read a lot, with epic fantasy tend to be my rabbit hole. Have you tried any book from Michael J Sullivan?
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ApplesAreAce
December 6, 2019 at 2:25 PM
Mine, too. I'm always looking for more recommendations! I have read the Ryria Chronicles but not the Age of Myth series yet. Have you read it? If so, do you recommend it? In exchange have you read Robin Hobb's Farseer books? And as a much lesser known author I was super impressed with Patrick Carr's Willet Dura trilogy. Enjoyed his writing style. Books and Kdramas, my two greatest weaknesses.☺️
Yn00na
December 7, 2019 at 1:15 AM
@applesareace, if you enjoyed Ryria, it's high chance that you would like Age of Myth. I actually like the later because I enjoy the early civilization aspect of it. In fact, when watching Arthdal, I was reminded of this series and I wished Arthdal writers have read the Age of Myth so that they would've done a better job.
I enjoyed Robin Hobb Farseer series but not so much the follow up series.
Gosh, i need to read more... I havent done much simce ive been sucked into kdrama. I tried to convince myself that reading subtitle counts... but I know I'm fooling myself 😝
ApplesAreAce
December 7, 2019 at 5:24 PM
Thanks for letting me know your thoughts on Age of Myth! I will have to check it out now. I have been trying to re read The Eye of the World and can't get passed the first quarter of it. I remember liking it when I was much younger though I never continued with the series but because of Brandon Sanderson I thought I would start over again and it's just not happening. I'm almost ready to give up.
I was wondering about Arthdal, if it was worth watching so it's good to know that I maybe shouldn't bother since I have so many other good dramas that need watching!😁LOL! I support Kdramas count as books (almost). That's what I've been telling my family for years now that kdramas are books in media form. No one has bought into yet though. I'm the sole K watcher in the fam.
michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 6:32 PM
These also sound good. I’m drowning in book recs! Haha. Will add them to my growing stack! Thank you!!!
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KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 7:05 AM
I’m intrigued! I shall give the series a try this holiday. Thanks!
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Beverly
December 6, 2019 at 7:18 AM
Your welcome. I need to get back to books. I miss being a reader. I do like romance books though.
One really good series with one of my favorite heroines, and side characters Bran, is the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. There is a loveline that runs through the series but is not the main focus. She has a spin off series to it too that runs parallel to it but on a slightly different timeline. I haven't kept up with it but I know many love it. It is the Alpha and Omega series, but I should because more Bran. They are Urban Fantasy.
A book that I really loved a couple years ago was To Tell The Truth, Shame the Devil by Melina Marchetta. She is a YA author (Jellico Road is great) but this is her first adult book. This is a cast of characters led by a disgraced police detective. I loved Bish and hope that she revisits him.
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michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 7:30 AM
I am fine with romance novel except when I feel the heroine is being too much a damsel in distress. And when there is no real plot. I am very much plot driven when I read. Cannot plow through too much descriptions about the scenery.... couldn't make it through the Lord of the Rings books for this reason.
Your suggestions sound fantastic. I will check them out and borrow them. I love the ebook online library service we have!
My favourite author is Terry Pratchett. He churned out so many good books before he passed away 🙁 Ive read them all and am slowly buying and collecting all his Discworld books because I’m a not-so-closet bibliophile.
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egads aka Dame Maggie of the Liberation Club
December 6, 2019 at 7:49 AM
Have you read Jasper Fforde's Eyre Affair? This is the first book in the Thursday Next series and is a wild ride that is the Douglas Adamesque book nerd's dream of actually interacting with fiction. Thursday is a literary detective, and someone has kidnapped Jane Eyre.
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michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 7:54 AM
Omg this sounds amaze-balls. Going to get it now. Like NOW.
And try not to start it immediately because it close to midnight and I have a full day tmr.
I’ve been reading till 2-3am too much lately. I blame you Beanies and your wonderfully terribly addicting book suggestions!!!!
michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 7:58 AM
My sleep tonight is saved as it’s not available as an ebook online in the library. 😂
But I will be going down to get the physical book soon...!
shach
December 6, 2019 at 8:11 AM
Second that, Thursday Next is amazeballs!!!
ApplesAreAce
December 6, 2019 at 8:19 AM
The had had that that discussion in the Well of Lost Plots alone is worth reading the series for...
Had had had approval but had had had not; equally it is true to say that that that that had had approval but that that other that that had not.’
‘So the problem with that other that that was that…?’
Bends my mind everytime haha!
okiejune
December 6, 2019 at 8:10 AM
Ditto for Lord of the Rings, but I actually "read" it in middle school. When I looked at the books later, I realized that I had unknowingly skimmed over all the scenery descriptions, so I didn't even recognize much of the books.
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michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 6:30 PM
I pretty much gave up and then watched the movies when they came out! 😂
Ayan
December 7, 2019 at 3:51 AM
I thought it was a good idea to finish all three books in high school over Easter Break. I think it is the first time I've had a migrane from reading a book and I know I will never be able to read the series again.
I really enjoyed the hobbit and that is much easier to re-read.
Beverly
December 6, 2019 at 8:18 AM
I have yet to read Pratchett. I think I made it through the first Lord of the Rings Books. It seemed like the part with the trees lasted forever, but I love the movies.
One CR that seems like a good rec for most people is Act Like It by Lucy Parker. Grumpy hero that is a bit reminiscent of Richard Armitage. Because of his rudeness he has a bit of a PR scandal and so he and our heroine have to have a fake relationship. They are actors of the London Stage.
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beantown
December 6, 2019 at 12:18 PM
I second the theater series by Parker😃 Very entertaining!
shach
December 6, 2019 at 9:03 AM
Witches Abroad is a true masterpiece, I still haven't read his last book, I like the idea to have at least one unread book that is waiting for me.
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michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 6:29 PM
It’s hard for me to choose one book I love because he has so many which are so good and I love all his different characters.
Thief of time is one, the fifth elephant another, and going postal.
Also, I recent read his Tiffany aching series which yes, has his last ever written book ☹️
But I would say I think his final few books we’re not as great as the middle few. I think the Alzheimer’s sadly did affect his genius and writing....
Midnight
December 6, 2019 at 10:28 PM
I love Terry Pratchett books, and this reminds me of Robert Heinlein for the sole reason that I used to read them at the same time. Heinlein's Double Star is one of my most favorite books.
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shach
December 6, 2019 at 7:58 AM
I vote for Mercy Thompson too, altough it get weaker with latest books, it still great UF read.
Laura Resnick Esther Diamond is on the lighter side but well wrote too https://www.goodreads.com/series/44055-esther-diamond
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egads aka Dame Maggie of the Liberation Club
December 6, 2019 at 8:00 AM
If you want another mystery series the Kate Shugak series by Dana Stabenow is one of my favorites. Oh, and Nevada Barr has a series with a park ranger, who has a knack for falling across dead bodies in various national parks all around the US. I would also recommend The Plotters by Kim Un-su. I wrote a review of it here http://www.dramabeans.com/members/egads/activity/839587/
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shach
December 6, 2019 at 8:12 AM
We read the same books :D
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egads aka Dame Maggie of the Liberation Club
December 6, 2019 at 8:22 AM
You have great taste! Have you read Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series? Myron is a sports agent, and usually sports books leave me cold, but this series I liked. It might be because his friend Win is a bit of sociopath vigilante, and we all know how I feel about fictional skirting the lines of morality and law.
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shach
December 6, 2019 at 8:42 AM
You too :) I read the whole series, I'm not the fan of Coben standalone books but Win and Myron are fun characters.
Have you heard about Canadian Ian Hamilton's Ava Lee series? It's about Candian Chinese forensic accountant working in debt collecting buisness with retired triad boss.
egads aka Dame Maggie of the Liberation Club
December 6, 2019 at 9:16 AM
I don't care for Coben's stand alone books either. We really are the same readers. No, I have not heard of the Ava Lee series, but I will definitely check it out. You might like the Lotte Meerman series by Anja de Jager. I'm a sucker for female detectives, and this series set in Amsterdam is fantastic.
michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 6:22 PM
Thank you I will definitely check these out.... but it might take me a while, for now I have like a whole stack! 🤣
Everything mentioned sounds so good!
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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites
December 6, 2019 at 8:16 AM
Sherry Thomas writes amazing romance stories. They hurt my heart so much. If you are into pyschological thrillers, may I recommend The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn. Heartbreaking, and phenomenal book. I was haunted for ages after reading it. Ruth Ware's books are terrific, too. And the book that broke my heart, that I keep reading over and over is Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller. It is not a thriller, but a heartwrenching story about a woman and her love for a much older man, whom she fell in love with, married, and who betrayed her. Painful, but so beautifully written.
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michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 6:37 PM
Hmmm. I tried one of her contemporary romance books and while I didn’t dislike it, I didn’t devour it quite like her Sherlock series.
Maybe I’ll try another one and see.
Woman in the window has caught my attention. I will go and look for it.
Swimming lessons sounds 💔painful.... maybe when I’m in the mood for something like that I will pick it up.
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YY Chats with Toast Between Bites
December 7, 2019 at 1:57 AM
Swimming Lessons gutted me. I'm still hurting. And you know something, I have tried Sherry Thomas's Sherlock series, but abandoned the first book after reading the first paragraph. I might just try it again, because of your recommendation. Her romance, Ravishing The Heiress is beautifully poignant. The girl is in love with the guy, but he married her, loving someone else, and she knew about it. It broke my heart. They became friends, and he grew to love her. It was just so sad. The other books are His At Night and The Beautiful Enemy...the last quite intriguing; her heroine is a half-Chinese girl, who falls for a dashing spy. Again, beautifully poignant. The Woman in the Window is just a terrific read, and absolutely heartbreaking in parts. The metaphors used are stark and chilling, all the more significant when you get to the twist in the book, and that's when you understand why those metaphors were used. I read the book several times, and each time, I see new things.
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bbstl
December 6, 2019 at 8:21 AM
Glad to hear you are improving and back to baking, too! 😁
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michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 6:38 PM
Return to baking is very slow. I only have made brownies so far. But slowly I hope to get there!!! 👍
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bbstl
December 7, 2019 at 6:25 AM
Good (yum!)! Don’t do too much too early.
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cherry 🍒
December 6, 2019 at 9:14 AM
I used to be an avid Sherlockian. I loved the original books when I was a teenager and I later discovered BBC Sherlock which I was obsessed with. I majored in New Media and my master thesis was actually a detailed analysis of BBC Sherlock and why it became so successful.
When I was a teen, I loved the cases and how genius they were. In my mid twenties I was more intrigued with the ambiguity of Holmes and Watson relationship that inspired numerous pastiches through the years.
The pastiche I loved the most was “My Dearest Holmes” by Rohase Piercy. The writing is brilliant - the author managed to sound like Doyle while wrapping his own story around canon. I can’t praise enough how much I loved the book. It’s not LGBT explicit, there’s nothing explicit in the book but it still made my heart ache because of how beautifully it described the relationship between them. And now I made myself want to read the novel again 😊
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michykdrama
December 6, 2019 at 6:41 PM
Wow! Your love for Sherlock is inspiring. I have not seen the BBC Sherlock but I shall put it down on my to do list. But books are easier for me for now as most of my time is at night and I’m stuck with my kid in the same room. So books are easier to watch than squinting on my small phone with headphones in to watch a drama.
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6 KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 6:57 AM
Hello beanies! I’m supposed to be done with kdrama this time of the year. Watched those shows I wanted to watch and thus, was planning to do more reading, journaling, and boring stuff like spring cleaning, until I accidentally discovered Beautiful Love Wonderful Life. The last thing I need in my life right now is a weekend drama but I couldn’t resist the main OTP. Seol In-Ah is a total gem and when Kim Jae-Young smiled his “I’m trying hard not to smile” smile, my heart goes all fluttery and down the rabbit hole I went. Why am I so weak?
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mango
December 6, 2019 at 9:47 AM
They're too adorable. The scene where they were eating "seperatly" was cute too. He asked for it haha
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applecrumble
December 6, 2019 at 1:32 PM
@mango
Yeah, that's what he got after waiting for 6h37m for her! He's ok to have tea with people but not eat with them. Quite a weirdo, haha
Jealous Jun Hwi is so fun to watch! I love his reaction when he eavesdropped that Cheong Ah washed Baek Rim's tracksuit!
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mango
December 6, 2019 at 2:47 PM
He looks hard to date and his mother was right, who could date him? It seems like he met his match with Cheong Ah.
That's right, jealous Jun Hwi is the most entertaining 😂😂 Rim even got dragged into a "jealousy scene" without asking anything.
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KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 3:58 PM
Yes, poor Rim but I’m so happy for uri Cheong Ah.... finally...who could resist her infectious charm? And jealous Jun Hwi is a hoot
applecrumble
December 6, 2019 at 4:38 PM
@ KdramaAhjumma
Cheong Ah is so sweet and loveable. Even Jun Gyum kinda fell for her. I'm glad her police colleagues are nice to her too.
I'm looking forward to her finding more about Jun Hwi. She doesn't even know his age!
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KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 6:21 PM
I’m so happy that her colleagues are good to her. She has been having such a tough life, I’m glad she caught a break finally.
Yes, our girl is very silly isn’t she? The only thing she knows about Jun Hwi is that he has a mom and he works at Inter Market in the sports dept and that their souls are similar hee...hee... i’m so dreading the upcoming angst but I’m sure both of them will overcome it, just don’t stretch it all the way to the last episode 🙏🏼🙏🏼
KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 6:33 PM
applecrumble, thanks for fan-girling with me 😍
KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 3:54 PM
I love that scene! They are just so adorable. And Cheong Ah handling him like a boss, you go girl!
Also love the scene in which she rushed to the coffee place and she couldn’t find him but he was behind her and he smiled that smile and seconds later schooled his face into his normal look before approaching her. That kind of smile will be the death of me 😫
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applecrumble
December 6, 2019 at 4:32 PM
Yup, he's hiding his real feelings there! The coffee place is so big and so nice! I wanna go there too! I must be nuts, I even tried to figure out what book he was reading.... i think it's metamorphosis by franz kafka.
Sometimes I don't get the subtitles. He was the one who finished the 2 cups, not her, right? And did he want to have tea with her after that dinner? Coz I heard "cha".
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KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 6:31 PM
I think his 2 cups were cleared when he left the table earlier (before she arrived) so I assumed the 2 cups that were on the table when they were talking were hers, since she claimed she drank 2 cups.
I agree, the subtitles were not that great. Not sure if he wanted to have tea after dinner (coz i’m super hopeless when it comes to language) but i’m super duper sure he wanted their supposedly not-a-date to go beyond dinner that night. And he was so clueless... she was standing so long at the sidewalk, not crossing the road when there was no car in sight...I was like go to her, Jun Hwi, go 🤦🏻♀️
applecrumble
December 6, 2019 at 9:43 PM
KdramaAhjumma, it's my pleasure to fangirl with you! 😄
LOL, I think part of him might also be afraid that she's gonna give him another scolding or something.
I'm hoping for more of Jun Hwi and Cheong Ah's scenes in the coming episodes. Can't get enough of them! Oh, she's so cute when she's so pleased that Jin Woo got the correct version of the accident issue from Jun Hwi.
KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 11:07 PM
Applecrumble, yes our dear girl Cheong Ah is capable of scolding him haha
I’m also hoping for more of their scenes together. And give that girl her much anticipated kiss, Jun Hwi. Make Cheong Ah and this ahjumma happy, okay?
applecrumble
December 7, 2019 at 12:51 AM
We're all anticipating their first kiss too, aren't we? Heehee. Palli, palli, Jun Hwi, don't make us wait too long! 🤣😄
7 shach
December 6, 2019 at 7:11 AM
Happy weekend Beanies, is it winter already, it getting really cold here. I'm only watching three dramas now so I decided to brush of my watercolors and put to use Moleskine sktechbook I got from a friend and started free trial on Skillshare, and... it is so much fun that I hardly even have time to catch up with dramas now!!! What's your hobbies Beanies?
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wapz
December 6, 2019 at 7:16 AM
Do people even have hobbies these days? That's one question that scares me in interviews because I have none except for watching dramas. I remember having hobbies when I was young (the ones like playing sports, reading, writing, collecting stickers) but now I see even younger kids are always on the internet. The internet and social media itself have become hobbies for many now because I see little motivation in people to do other activities we once enjoyed.
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shach
December 6, 2019 at 8:03 AM
I think if it's something you enjoy in your free time and are willing to spend money on, it's count as a hobby ;)
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egads aka Dame Maggie of the Liberation Club
December 6, 2019 at 8:04 AM
I knit and I read. My kids all have some creative hobbies that keep their hands and minds busy. Honestly, I think I'm on the internet more than they are.
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shach
December 6, 2019 at 8:14 AM
Knitting and crocheting are my Achille's heel, I lack whatever coordination is needed for that.
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bbstl
December 6, 2019 at 8:24 AM
Me too, I just can’t get the hang of either. It’s so frustrating, I could be doing that while watching dramas 🙁
egads aka Dame Maggie of the Liberation Club
December 6, 2019 at 8:27 AM
@shach, @bbstl, one of my kids can read, watch tv, and knit lace at the same time. I honestly have no idea how her brain works like that, but she's always been that way. But she has to have something to do with her hands or she can barely concentrate at anything.
mmmmm
December 6, 2019 at 10:25 AM
Reading the word 'knit' made me think of someone whom I hold dear. I used to be an exchange student in Norway and my host, a Norwegian grandmother always knitted whenever she had free time. She was an expert at that. I used to knit when I was there with her. I remembered it seemed quite boring, but I actually liked it and I was so proud when I finished a scarf and a shawl. Sadly, she passed away a couple of years ago, and seeing your comment made me think about start knitting again.
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KdramaAhjumma
December 6, 2019 at 4:06 PM
@egads your kid can read, watch tv and knit at the same time? I want that superpowers. I can barely fold laundry and watch k-drama while reading the subtitles at the same time 😩😩 I have to focus on reading the subs, making sure I don’t miss a word, at the same time also making sure I don’t miss the actors’ expressions on screen. I must learn to be less anal, what’s a few missing words or facial expressions, right? Hmmm......nope...I don’t think I can do it 😫
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Blue (mayhemf)
December 6, 2019 at 7:33 AM
I don’t know if it’s a hobby. But I do enjoy birdwatching. I go birding few times a year. I enjoy photography. So I do bird photography (basic stuff)
I also travel and enjoy travel photography.
I try to write a blog about my travels but am terrible at it.
I recently bought a sketch book and decided to draw birds. So far I drew 2 birds in a month. Lol.
Watching kdramas/cdramas and writing on DB wall is also a hobby I guess :))
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shach
December 6, 2019 at 8:06 AM
It's certainly a hobby and a great one at that! Birds are so pretty and interesting to draw, and two a month is not a bad result ;)
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mmmmm
December 6, 2019 at 10:32 AM
OMG I wasn't expect someone saying his/her hobby is birdwatching. I didn't do birdwatching before, but I have always enjoyed watching birds. Lately, there are many new birds keep appearing in the area around my house; so I told my mother that I was going to buy a good set of binoculars at the end of the year. To my surprise, my mother told this to my father and he gave me the set of binocular he had. I use the binoculars to watch birds when I'm free. I am not an expert though, but I think it's quite relaxing and some of the birds are just adorable when you look at them closely. Well, some are quite scary, but most of them look very nice, and chubby too.
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Blue (mayhemf)
December 6, 2019 at 10:53 AM
Happy birding!! Birds are fascinating!!
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Kairoskat 💐
December 6, 2019 at 7:41 AM
I had a watercolouring phase during the time when I was not into dramaland. It's been a long time since I wetted my brushes and actually painted something. I'm not watching any dramas at the moment and it looks like SSR will not return anytime soon. I should get back to watercolouring since I have loads of watercolouring/art supplies ahaha 🎨🖼.