So… instead of working on the stuff that I should be working on (due tomorrow) I spent the last half an hour translating the lyrics of the latest released song from the Encounter OST. Kept thinking how they first played it when they went for a walk, just after the ’this is not ssoem for you’ talk. Color me extra obsessed.
Some bits were kind of tricky – went for pretty rather than strictly accurate; comments/suggestions/corrections welcome.
널 바라보는 두 눈에
Looking at you through my eyes…
사랑이 비춰질 때
Love is in sight.
쏟아지는 별처럼 아름다운 순간들
Beautiful moments like falling stars
내게 건넨 손을 놓지 않을 거라고
Won’t let go of the hand you gave me,
마음에 새겨져 물들어가는데
You’re engraved in my heart.
Oh I know I belong to you
이렇게 널 바라보는 순간이
This instant looking at you
영원하길 바라는
I want it to last forever.
이젠 I belong to you
Now I belong to you.
널 향한 내 맘은 점점 깊어만 지네
You’re burrowed deeper and deeper in my heart
따스한 너의 온기가
The warmth of you…
마음을 스쳐갈 때
Touches my heart
숨길 수 없는 만큼 커져가는 감정이
My feelings are growing too big to hide
내게 짓는 미소 사소한 말 하나도
I smile and not say a word.
마음에 새겨져 물들어가는데
You’re engraved in my heart.
Oh I know I belong to you
이렇게 널 바라보는 순간이
This instant looking at you
영원하길 바라는
I want it to last forever.
이젠 I belong to you
Now I belong to you.
널 향한 내 맘은 점점 깊어만 지네
You’re growing deeper and deeper in my heart
닿을 수 있는 거리에 언제나
Always within reach
내가 너의 곁에 있단 걸
I’m here for you
느낄 수 있게 해주고 싶어
I want you to feel it.
I know I belong to you
이 꿈이 깨지 않길 바라는
Don’t want this dream to ever end.
이젠 I belong to you
Now I belong to you.
이 맘은 점점 깊어만 지네
Deeper and deeper in my heart.
Good job! Songs can often be really tricky to translate since they’re so ambiguous at times. One phrase in there that probably gave you a hard time is 물들어가는데. It took me a while to figure this out, but in addition to meaning “stain/color something” 물들어 actually has an idiomatic meaning similar to “rub off on someone.” So basically that part of the song is saying that every little smile and even the most insignificant things that she says are permanently engraved in his heart and “color” him so that he’s slowly starting to become more like her. Also, 널 향한 내 맘 is just a poetic way of saying “my feelings for you” so an alternative translation for that line could be “my feelings for you just keep growing deeper/stronger.” Great job though overall! The lyrics sound like my kind of ballad so I’ll have to go give it a listen now 🙂
Thanks for the input, very helpful. I was unsure what do do about precisely the points you mentioned. Tried “My heart is stained in the color of you” and “Your color engraved on my heart” but it sounded a bit weird so converged to the more boring option above. I was also playing with feeling growing deeper and deeper but, but decided to keep ‘heart’ in for the symmetry with the engraved bit, which left me struggling with finding the right verb.
I’m pretty sure any professional translator would translate it the same way as you and leave the 물들어 part out anyway since “engraved in my heart” already carries the meaning implicitly. If you really wanted to match the redundantly poetic Korean version though, one way that could work is saying “engraved in my heart and becomes a part of me” since part of me also automatically implies that something influences you.
The only reason I pointed it out though is because 물들어 is actually used pretty often in songs and dramas, but like 99% of the time you’ll see people translate it as something like “you color my heart” when it’s actually the second meaning of “influence me” instead. I think people get tripped up by the 물 part and think a liquid/color has to be involved in some way, but the second meaning really is just purely idiomatic and has nothing to do with the first. Not even Naver has “rub off on” listed as a possible translation for it so I’m just passing on a little tip I’ve learned over the years^^ Also, one way you could try to incorporate heart into the other line while keeping it as a subject of the sentence is something like “my heart keeps falling deeper and deeper in love with you.” Technically, it’s missing 빠졌다 in the Korean version, but the general meaning is the exact same.
I totally feel you when it comes to the struggles of translating. I’ve spent over an hour just trying to figure out how to translate one line before since it’s so often difficult to come up with a perfect translation between Korean and English. I’ve always considered translating is an art form for that reason. At the end of the day, it’s up to each individual translator to decide what’s best the best way to express something, no matter whether or not it matches word for word.
Absolutely. I am by no means a professional translator but I have spent a fair bit of time trying to translate lyrics/poetry from Korean to English. I don’t think I’ve ever been completely satisfied with the outcome; some subtleties always get lost in the process. Translating poetry requires a poet which I am sadly not (JH and I have that in common it seems).
Here I really like the visual element of ‘staining’ one’s heart to convey the idea that interacting with a loved one changes you forever; but the verb has negative connotations in English. Thanks for this, really good to know that I am not alone in my linguistic frustrations. Also give listening to the song a try, I am not obsessing about it without reason ;-).
More encounter obsessing (with Eric Nam’s 그밤 on repeat as background music): they belong together because they make each other better – purposeful, fearless, alive… just more. And yes, it takes effort to make it work and it’s going to be hard, but it’s worth it.
I like that it’s not a perfect match from the get go and that they still need to negotiate their differences in age and interests; also what’s the best way to go on a date (hanging out together each reading a book and/or eating together are both perfect in my book, should one care for my opinion).
Encounter #7: This was JH’s episode and PBG rocked it. Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Favorite bits:
* almost exploding of happiness post press conference announcement.
* His \”I don’t want to be in this pre-relationship stage anymore”.
* The chat with his father; JH is a pretty amazing son.
* The way they worry and are willing to go to war for each other, that’s serious OTP material.
Digging through my old W MVs: I’d forgotten how much of a sadist is Song Jae-jung… Is this why I’m so reluctant to start MoA? Or is it because W owed my heart and soul despite of it?
Since I\’m now up to date with Blue sun, red moon, I got curious about the writer\’s previous work and started Secrets of Achiara. Less compelling start, lower production value, but same addictive qualities: again, I dislike pretty much every character but cannot stop watching. What kind of weird sorcery is this?
Bad detective/Lesser evil: gave it a try but found it lacking. It\’s not that I mind the changes from the original – in fact I like some things better here, e.g. the links to the past, or the portrayal of the wife. It\’s that that the mesh of old and new does not come together in a logical whole. It’s mainly a problem with the writing; but have issues with some of the acting as well.
The biggest departure is that they fundamentally changed the Luther-Alice dynamics. Alice\’s character was lost in the rewrite process. Old Alice was a psychopath who has found her one true obsession in Luther. Her misguided attempts at being his friend were a fascinating aspect of the show. Not knowing how to show affection except by staying true to her nature… The pet tiger who loves her master but could at any moment eat him up instead… Also Luther is perfectly aware of her true nature; he fears her but cannot help liking her too.
There’s none of that here. The remake makes his behavior all about guilt; he feels responsible for her turning out that way, and the old desire to protect her from the time she was a victim that was hurt on his watch.
This does not work as well. And I am finding myself bored.
I totally agree about the Luther/Alice dynamics. The lead male is lacking something for me as well.
The remake isn’t bad, but like you, I found myself getting bored during Episode 4; I ended up re-watching parts of Luther to prepare for the new episodes.
“Once in a while I see her smile; and it totally makes my day” – “That’s not a casual relationship…”
And so Encounter totally makes my day… I must like this show. a lot.
There’s a perfect simplicity to everything. They work because they just do; their relationship is uncomplicated – despite all the external factors. Sometimes romance is just that – day to day compatibility, no frills required.
Encounter #5:
The feeling of missing one’s chance, the regret of not loving someone when one could, and now being too old for experiencing it… the unfairness of it all. That epilogue captured everything with barely a single word.
What is most telling is that when they are having a hard time, be it him being suffocated by the gossip at the office, or her trying to escape her mother and the chains that go with that relationship, they end up running straight to each other. It is certain that they have grown to need one another. And it’s there, at the point where doubts give way to certainty, that love begins. They are not even attempting to pretend it’s anything different. And I love every minute of it.
I agree… I like how they quietly comfort each other. I like how the male lead is not afraid to take on the challenges, as long as he can get to know her more and explore those feelings he’s feeling. I like how much of a gentleman he is, and I like that PBG seems to have finally settled into his character (I don’t feel he’s forced any longer starting with this ep). The last scene of ep 5 was the first time where I felt strong chemistry between them. I hope that this show will be a little passionate (even if she is married in real life).
As for the heroine, I really feel for her, she is being suffocated by her mother and by extension her passive father who is benefiting. She is also being suffocated by her ex-husband and ex-mother-in-law. I felt like crying with her when she pondered about the timing, and in the epilogue. These quiet moments carry a depth to them, that I didn’t expect this show to have. I really hope that the show will continue to get better with every episode, and won’t disappoint.
I got home, was lazy, could not find anything to watch, so I took a tour down memory lane. Complete, as much as my bad memory serves, list of finished dramas since I’ve started watching (which turns out to be 2005, damn I’m old):
2018: INAR, Are you human too, Player, Switch
2017: Circle, Forest of secrets, Lookout, Mystery queen, Tunnel, Voice
2016: Wanted, Weightlifting fairy, W, Bring it on ghost, Marriage contract, Mrs Cop 2, Page turner, Police unit 38, Signal, Solomon’s perjury
2015: Imaginary cat, I remember you, Girl who sees smells, Missing noir M, Mrs Cop, Oh my Venus, Sassy go go(?), Splish splash love, Cheo Yong 2, Village:Achiara’s secret
2014: Witch romance, Bad guys, Dr Frost, Ghost seeing detective, Healer, Bride of the century, Legend of the witch
2013: I hear your voice, Master’s sun,That winter…
2012: Faith, King of dramas, Ojakgyo Brothers, Ghost,To the beautiful you, Ten, Vampire prosecutor 2
2011: My princess, 49 days, City hunter, Vampire prosecutor
2010: Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Pasta, Queen of reversals, The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry, Stars Falling From the Sky, Oh my lady, Coffee house, Prosecutor princess, My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox
2009: The Man Who Can’t Get Married, That fool, You’re Beautiful, City hall, Shining Inheritance
2008: Who Are You?, Beethoven Virus, Last Scandal
2007: I’m Sam, Oh Dal Ja’s Spring, The Devil, The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, Time Between Dog and Wolf
2006: Goong, What’s Up Fox?, Fantasy couple, My girl
2005: Loveholic, My Lovely Sam-Soon, Delightful Girl Choon Hyang, Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy
Conclusions:
1. I have a very limited attention span; I hadn’t really noticed but it turns out that I have been dropping dramas quite frequently for years now.
2. I watch way too much dark stuff and I am decreasingly likely to finish a straight out romance; which is probably a sign of me becoming grumpy and jaded with old age. Interesting (or is it predictable?) that so far Encounter works for me despite the stats … Hmmmm
3. The quality and diversity of dramas has increased dramatically over time.
My end-of-year drama tally is unusually scarce in 2018. Stats below.
The main development is that I have finally stoped being a completist.
Basically life’s too short for boring dramas.
*Started (watched at least 4eps) but dropped along the way:
-Time (the one character I deeply cared about died, and couldn\’t care less about the rest)
-Life on mars (did not work for me for some reason, could not connect to the characters)
-Secretary Kim (went from intriguing first 2 eps to run-of-the-mill lightning fast)
-Beauty inside (bored)
-Secret Terrius (faulty logic, bored)
-Mrs Ma (liked it but got distracted; might pick it up again sometime)
*Saved for later (can only watch small bits at a time, and I am rarely in the right mood):
-Mother
-My ajusshi
-Live
*Currently watching:
-Encounter (I like its wistfulness, but high risk for future story derailment)
*Planning to try at some point soon:
-Memories of Alhambra (I’m a W2W fan, not all this writer\’s stories work for me –see eg Nine— but when they do they really do; not getting the greatest vibe at the moment but I’ll give it a go)
-Red moon blue sun (maybe too depressing but my default-watch genre)
-Bad detective (just marathoned 4 seasons of Luther, curious about the Kr interpretation)
*Finished:
-I am not a robot (my drama of the year)
-Are you human too (my favorite scene of the year)
-Player and Switch (the world sucks and it’s nice to have at least a few scammers on the side of the little guy)
[yeah, I can see a pattern here]
Encounter Ep. 4 – the body language and symbolism were nicely done. To me, this is not a story about chaebol dramatics and grand gestures; it’s about taking a tiny step, about smiles that mean a thousand words, or listening to the sound of the waves while the outside world is raging on. It’s in the little moments when the show shines.
Thoughts: their relationship is getting more even with him fussing about her and bossing her around; also making sure that he clarifies that, whatever they are, their relationship is not just that of boss-employee. Him feeding her a piece of radish kimchi, sitting micrometers away from her on the rather wide bench, letting himself sleep on her shoulder or buying her lipstick as a bday present (because he thought it would look better on her lips)… those gestures are more intimate and speak more to their relationship than the public show at the company. And SH knowing rationally that this is going to end badly (for both) but still not being able to shut him out the way she knows she should… She can’t let him go because she needs him too badly. He knowingly refuses to let her go, because even if temporary he thinks their feelings are too important.
It’s cute that among the many things they have in common one is being willful, eccentric and kind of stubborn. They balance each other out quite nicely.
PS: yay for second leads that are not selfish jerks. That makes for a nice deviation from expectations. (I wonder when did I become so jaded that I automatically expect the worst of people? Must be all the nasty chaebol mothers…)
PPS: the dress vs. rice cakes as present. They were delivered with exactly the same message but one present was self-centered and obtained by throwing a roll of cash around while the other was about what she likes and a reminder of a shared memory. While nice as daddy long legs SH’s ex is still very much a product of his world. That’s the main reason why they’ll never work.
Back from watching Shoplifters. Take-aways: life is colossally unfair and a kid is sometimes better off with a thief/murderer than in the care of clueless social workers. Color me upset and angry.
Reading a friend’s take on Encounter:
\”You know, Encounter is amazing not because of mood or acting (even though they are great) but because it takes one of the often done narratives – our protagonist experiencing mid life crisis/feeling about meaninglessness of life until they meet someone exciting and rediscover themselves – and makes it new by switching out the genders.
How many stories are there about powerful middle-aged women, with past relationship baggage, high social standing and constant ennui who meet free-spirited and poor young men who make them see the world anew through their manic pixie dreamboy qualities?
Yeah, I will wait.
Still waiting.
It’s also perfectly acted and shot, but what stays with me is the melancholy yet hopeful mood and the story set-up.
As someone who has neither a douchy ex nor a CEO position, I still found myself relating deeply to Song Hye Kyo’s burned-out character. The regrets are relatable, the possibility of an emotional miracle inspiring. But I am a lot closer to her age than the average kdrama watcher. I wonder if this drama works for someone who is a teen or in their early twenties or if it just appears a lot of fuss over nothing”.
I just had a bit of an epiphany: minus the chaebol ex and CEO position, I am her – mid thirties a successful career woman, who is single and used to it, but who hasn’t completely abandoned the possibility of happiness and wonder. Scary stakes.
Yes I think the drama works for younger viewers as well because Park Bo Gum. But I do believe you(/we) might be enjoying it – dare I say it – a little more. ^-^
I’m glad that we’re watching another drama together. Always love reading your thoughts. I, too, relate so much with Soohyun because of the things that you mentioned.
I’ve been in a weird watching mood in the last couple of months, not being able to stick to any kdrama; instead I binge watched a whole bunch of Chinese historical series (turns out if you watch selectively only the fun bits and skip the stupid third quarter and the depressing endings, they can be quite entertaining). Eventually these also lost their appeal, so I am back and -happy to report- in a more positive mood. Some thoughts on the new batch of dramas.
Clean with passion for now: KYJ is the soul of this. On the plus side: I like that despite the over-the-top-ness there is a core of genuine emotion that anchors the relationships; I also like the mains, the secretary and dad. On the minus side: I hate everyone else, in particular all the interchangeable side boys (badly acted and emotionally vacuous second lead, pink overalls gang, etc). Bonus points: my house had been in a mess for weeks and this got in the mood to do some serious cleaning. May give it a couple more eps before deciding.
Encounter: I love almost everything about it – the fairytale undertones, the gorgeous cinematography, the two leads and their first meeting. I like that both are genuinely nice people, who are smart and driven each in its own way. I adore Soo-Hyun, from her workaholic ways, to her relationship with her secretary and driver to her direct way of shutting off her annoying ex. What I love most is that she is not a doormat (unlike the main in Noona who buys me food). I get the feeling that she chose her ice queen existence for the sake of her father, but when push comes to shove she is capable of breaking through the chains of her public image. I also like Jin-Hyeok’s carefree ways, his love of books, and his stubbornness in living each day on his own terms (also I love, love, love his drunken antics, he\’s cuter than a whole basket of puppies). There are many challenges in their relationship and it looks like it will get bumpy from ep 3 on; but I am already invested in their happy ending and curious what will take to get them there (which is all one can hope for from a first week). I don’t know what will happen as the story progresses but I’m on board for now.
Tried and dropped: Happy if you died (while I like the female lead a lot, I don’t like KJH and I detest the character he is playing), Mama fairy (can’t connect with the characters, not much seems to happen, overall too weird), Top Star YB (not my taste)
Saved to check out during Xmas break: Red moon, Blue sun and Memories of Alhambra.
Beauty inside: There is something about the show\’s depiction of human interactions that really gets to me. Today\’s episode ended in sniffles and a strong desire to call my mother.
I guess I should at least say hi to everyone. 안녕! 오랜만이야
Still very much caught up in real life issues but recently I had been hoping for a good kdrama distraction. alas no can do. None of the rom things remotely appeal. I was really looking forward to Terrius – on paper SJS babysitting twins should spell a clear winner – yet I find myself bored. Bad sign if I find the villain to be the most entertaining character. Then there’s Million stars… which I could not bring myself to watch because the knowledge of the original keeps interfering with my perception of the now. [Where’s a nice selective amnesia when one needs one?]. Still watching Player and Miss Ma, but with limited emotional engagement. Back in the slump for the time being.
Hi Charlie –
Good thing you’re not too attached to the dramas because dramafever shut down today so it’s looking like we won’t be able to continue watching them for a while, if at all. No one knows what’s happening with them, it’s a great time for a slump!
sorry for worrying you. I am mostly ok. Saw the INAR rabbit invite the other day but I was caught up at work and could not make it. Maybe this Sat… What time?
CHARLIE
December 20, 2018 at 10:04 AM
So… instead of working on the stuff that I should be working on (due tomorrow) I spent the last half an hour translating the lyrics of the latest released song from the Encounter OST. Kept thinking how they first played it when they went for a walk, just after the ’this is not ssoem for you’ talk. Color me extra obsessed.
Some bits were kind of tricky – went for pretty rather than strictly accurate; comments/suggestions/corrections welcome.
널 바라보는 두 눈에
Looking at you through my eyes…
사랑이 비춰질 때
Love is in sight.
쏟아지는 별처럼 아름다운 순간들
Beautiful moments like falling stars
내게 건넨 손을 놓지 않을 거라고
Won’t let go of the hand you gave me,
마음에 새겨져 물들어가는데
You’re engraved in my heart.
Oh I know I belong to you
이렇게 널 바라보는 순간이
This instant looking at you
영원하길 바라는
I want it to last forever.
이젠 I belong to you
Now I belong to you.
널 향한 내 맘은 점점 깊어만 지네
You’re burrowed deeper and deeper in my heart
따스한 너의 온기가
The warmth of you…
마음을 스쳐갈 때
Touches my heart
숨길 수 없는 만큼 커져가는 감정이
My feelings are growing too big to hide
내게 짓는 미소 사소한 말 하나도
I smile and not say a word.
마음에 새겨져 물들어가는데
You’re engraved in my heart.
Oh I know I belong to you
이렇게 널 바라보는 순간이
This instant looking at you
영원하길 바라는
I want it to last forever.
이젠 I belong to you
Now I belong to you.
널 향한 내 맘은 점점 깊어만 지네
You’re growing deeper and deeper in my heart
닿을 수 있는 거리에 언제나
Always within reach
내가 너의 곁에 있단 걸
I’m here for you
느낄 수 있게 해주고 싶어
I want you to feel it.
I know I belong to you
이 꿈이 깨지 않길 바라는
Don’t want this dream to ever end.
이젠 I belong to you
Now I belong to you.
이 맘은 점점 깊어만 지네
Deeper and deeper in my heart.
Hobakky
December 20, 2018 at 4:54 PM
Good job! Songs can often be really tricky to translate since they’re so ambiguous at times. One phrase in there that probably gave you a hard time is 물들어가는데. It took me a while to figure this out, but in addition to meaning “stain/color something” 물들어 actually has an idiomatic meaning similar to “rub off on someone.” So basically that part of the song is saying that every little smile and even the most insignificant things that she says are permanently engraved in his heart and “color” him so that he’s slowly starting to become more like her. Also, 널 향한 내 맘 is just a poetic way of saying “my feelings for you” so an alternative translation for that line could be “my feelings for you just keep growing deeper/stronger.” Great job though overall! The lyrics sound like my kind of ballad so I’ll have to go give it a listen now 🙂
CHARLIE
December 20, 2018 at 5:13 PM
Thanks for the input, very helpful. I was unsure what do do about precisely the points you mentioned. Tried “My heart is stained in the color of you” and “Your color engraved on my heart” but it sounded a bit weird so converged to the more boring option above. I was also playing with feeling growing deeper and deeper but, but decided to keep ‘heart’ in for the symmetry with the engraved bit, which left me struggling with finding the right verb.
Hobakky
December 20, 2018 at 6:23 PM
I’m pretty sure any professional translator would translate it the same way as you and leave the 물들어 part out anyway since “engraved in my heart” already carries the meaning implicitly. If you really wanted to match the redundantly poetic Korean version though, one way that could work is saying “engraved in my heart and becomes a part of me” since part of me also automatically implies that something influences you.
The only reason I pointed it out though is because 물들어 is actually used pretty often in songs and dramas, but like 99% of the time you’ll see people translate it as something like “you color my heart” when it’s actually the second meaning of “influence me” instead. I think people get tripped up by the 물 part and think a liquid/color has to be involved in some way, but the second meaning really is just purely idiomatic and has nothing to do with the first. Not even Naver has “rub off on” listed as a possible translation for it so I’m just passing on a little tip I’ve learned over the years^^ Also, one way you could try to incorporate heart into the other line while keeping it as a subject of the sentence is something like “my heart keeps falling deeper and deeper in love with you.” Technically, it’s missing 빠졌다 in the Korean version, but the general meaning is the exact same.
I totally feel you when it comes to the struggles of translating. I’ve spent over an hour just trying to figure out how to translate one line before since it’s so often difficult to come up with a perfect translation between Korean and English. I’ve always considered translating is an art form for that reason. At the end of the day, it’s up to each individual translator to decide what’s best the best way to express something, no matter whether or not it matches word for word.
CHARLIE
December 20, 2018 at 6:38 PM
Absolutely. I am by no means a professional translator but I have spent a fair bit of time trying to translate lyrics/poetry from Korean to English. I don’t think I’ve ever been completely satisfied with the outcome; some subtleties always get lost in the process. Translating poetry requires a poet which I am sadly not (JH and I have that in common it seems).
Here I really like the visual element of ‘staining’ one’s heart to convey the idea that interacting with a loved one changes you forever; but the verb has negative connotations in English. Thanks for this, really good to know that I am not alone in my linguistic frustrations. Also give listening to the song a try, I am not obsessing about it without reason ;-).
CHARLIE
December 20, 2018 at 5:37 AM
More encounter obsessing (with Eric Nam’s 그밤 on repeat as background music): they belong together because they make each other better – purposeful, fearless, alive… just more. And yes, it takes effort to make it work and it’s going to be hard, but it’s worth it.
I like that it’s not a perfect match from the get go and that they still need to negotiate their differences in age and interests; also what’s the best way to go on a date (hanging out together each reading a book and/or eating together are both perfect in my book, should one care for my opinion).
Yuyuu, The Drama Queen
December 20, 2018 at 8:01 AM
Hello there! I’m so glad to see someone talking about this show on the fanwall.
Regarding their relationship, I LOVED how Jin-hyuk called it a “collaboration.”
CHARLIE
December 20, 2018 at 3:02 AM
Just read up about the background of some Kr stars. For IU and PBG in particular that really puts things in perspective. Respekt.
https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1005062853
cherry 🍒
December 20, 2018 at 4:10 AM
Can you send me a link? I’d like to read about it too.
alasecond
December 20, 2018 at 6:32 AM
lol.. read JYJ from former tvsq
alasecond
December 20, 2018 at 6:33 AM
or V, Lee Dong Wook (reaper), kim hyun jung is also not super rich or naything, taeyang (Big bang),
korean world full of stories
CHARLIE
December 19, 2018 at 3:50 PM
Encounter #7: This was JH’s episode and PBG rocked it. Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Favorite bits:
* almost exploding of happiness post press conference announcement.
* His \”I don’t want to be in this pre-relationship stage anymore”.
* The chat with his father; JH is a pretty amazing son.
* The way they worry and are willing to go to war for each other, that’s serious OTP material.
CHARLIE
December 16, 2018 at 11:29 AM
Digging through my old W MVs: I’d forgotten how much of a sadist is Song Jae-jung… Is this why I’m so reluctant to start MoA? Or is it because W owed my heart and soul despite of it?
beantown
December 16, 2018 at 2:54 PM
Yep, I find myself not fully committing!
Katrina
December 16, 2018 at 10:05 PM
I have to say I will be watching Hyun bins cheekbones till the end regardless of what happens.
Katrina
December 16, 2018 at 10:06 PM
I’m actually enjoying the show also😁
CHARLIE
December 16, 2018 at 7:40 AM
Since I\’m now up to date with Blue sun, red moon, I got curious about the writer\’s previous work and started Secrets of Achiara. Less compelling start, lower production value, but same addictive qualities: again, I dislike pretty much every character but cannot stop watching. What kind of weird sorcery is this?
CHARLIE
December 15, 2018 at 11:05 AM
Bad detective/Lesser evil: gave it a try but found it lacking. It\’s not that I mind the changes from the original – in fact I like some things better here, e.g. the links to the past, or the portrayal of the wife. It\’s that that the mesh of old and new does not come together in a logical whole. It’s mainly a problem with the writing; but have issues with some of the acting as well.
The biggest departure is that they fundamentally changed the Luther-Alice dynamics. Alice\’s character was lost in the rewrite process. Old Alice was a psychopath who has found her one true obsession in Luther. Her misguided attempts at being his friend were a fascinating aspect of the show. Not knowing how to show affection except by staying true to her nature… The pet tiger who loves her master but could at any moment eat him up instead… Also Luther is perfectly aware of her true nature; he fears her but cannot help liking her too.
There’s none of that here. The remake makes his behavior all about guilt; he feels responsible for her turning out that way, and the old desire to protect her from the time she was a victim that was hurt on his watch.
This does not work as well. And I am finding myself bored.
miss h
December 16, 2018 at 8:10 AM
I totally agree about the Luther/Alice dynamics. The lead male is lacking something for me as well.
The remake isn’t bad, but like you, I found myself getting bored during Episode 4; I ended up re-watching parts of Luther to prepare for the new episodes.
CHARLIE
December 14, 2018 at 8:24 AM
Red moon, blue sun: I dislike pretty much every character, but cannot stop myself from watching. Strange mood.
CHARLIE
December 14, 2018 at 4:45 AM
The giddiness of spring in December. Silly grin on my face. #Encounter
CHARLIE
December 13, 2018 at 4:26 PM
“Once in a while I see her smile; and it totally makes my day” – “That’s not a casual relationship…”
And so Encounter totally makes my day… I must like this show. a lot.
There’s a perfect simplicity to everything. They work because they just do; their relationship is uncomplicated – despite all the external factors. Sometimes romance is just that – day to day compatibility, no frills required.
CHARLIE
December 12, 2018 at 10:24 PM
Encounter #5:
The feeling of missing one’s chance, the regret of not loving someone when one could, and now being too old for experiencing it… the unfairness of it all. That epilogue captured everything with barely a single word.
What is most telling is that when they are having a hard time, be it him being suffocated by the gossip at the office, or her trying to escape her mother and the chains that go with that relationship, they end up running straight to each other. It is certain that they have grown to need one another. And it’s there, at the point where doubts give way to certainty, that love begins. They are not even attempting to pretend it’s anything different. And I love every minute of it.
sweetsour
December 12, 2018 at 10:51 PM
I agree… I like how they quietly comfort each other. I like how the male lead is not afraid to take on the challenges, as long as he can get to know her more and explore those feelings he’s feeling. I like how much of a gentleman he is, and I like that PBG seems to have finally settled into his character (I don’t feel he’s forced any longer starting with this ep). The last scene of ep 5 was the first time where I felt strong chemistry between them. I hope that this show will be a little passionate (even if she is married in real life).
As for the heroine, I really feel for her, she is being suffocated by her mother and by extension her passive father who is benefiting. She is also being suffocated by her ex-husband and ex-mother-in-law. I felt like crying with her when she pondered about the timing, and in the epilogue. These quiet moments carry a depth to them, that I didn’t expect this show to have. I really hope that the show will continue to get better with every episode, and won’t disappoint.
Marta
December 16, 2018 at 9:58 AM
I love your comment 👏👏👏👏👏👏🌹
CHARLIE
December 7, 2018 at 7:18 PM
I got home, was lazy, could not find anything to watch, so I took a tour down memory lane. Complete, as much as my bad memory serves, list of finished dramas since I’ve started watching (which turns out to be 2005, damn I’m old):
2018: INAR, Are you human too, Player, Switch
2017: Circle, Forest of secrets, Lookout, Mystery queen, Tunnel, Voice
2016: Wanted, Weightlifting fairy, W, Bring it on ghost, Marriage contract, Mrs Cop 2, Page turner, Police unit 38, Signal, Solomon’s perjury
2015: Imaginary cat, I remember you, Girl who sees smells, Missing noir M, Mrs Cop, Oh my Venus, Sassy go go(?), Splish splash love, Cheo Yong 2, Village:Achiara’s secret
2014: Witch romance, Bad guys, Dr Frost, Ghost seeing detective, Healer, Bride of the century, Legend of the witch
2013: I hear your voice, Master’s sun,That winter…
2012: Faith, King of dramas, Ojakgyo Brothers, Ghost,To the beautiful you, Ten, Vampire prosecutor 2
2011: My princess, 49 days, City hunter, Vampire prosecutor
2010: Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Pasta, Queen of reversals, The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry, Stars Falling From the Sky, Oh my lady, Coffee house, Prosecutor princess, My Girlfriend Is a Nine-Tailed Fox
2009: The Man Who Can’t Get Married, That fool, You’re Beautiful, City hall, Shining Inheritance
2008: Who Are You?, Beethoven Virus, Last Scandal
2007: I’m Sam, Oh Dal Ja’s Spring, The Devil, The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, Time Between Dog and Wolf
2006: Goong, What’s Up Fox?, Fantasy couple, My girl
2005: Loveholic, My Lovely Sam-Soon, Delightful Girl Choon Hyang, Biscuit Teacher and Star Candy
Conclusions:
1. I have a very limited attention span; I hadn’t really noticed but it turns out that I have been dropping dramas quite frequently for years now.
2. I watch way too much dark stuff and I am decreasingly likely to finish a straight out romance; which is probably a sign of me becoming grumpy and jaded with old age. Interesting (or is it predictable?) that so far Encounter works for me despite the stats … Hmmmm
3. The quality and diversity of dramas has increased dramatically over time.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
December 8, 2018 at 1:44 AM
Yay for the third conclusion!
CHARLIE
December 6, 2018 at 10:02 PM
My end-of-year drama tally is unusually scarce in 2018. Stats below.
The main development is that I have finally stoped being a completist.
Basically life’s too short for boring dramas.
*Started (watched at least 4eps) but dropped along the way:
-Time (the one character I deeply cared about died, and couldn\’t care less about the rest)
-Life on mars (did not work for me for some reason, could not connect to the characters)
-Secretary Kim (went from intriguing first 2 eps to run-of-the-mill lightning fast)
-Beauty inside (bored)
-Secret Terrius (faulty logic, bored)
-Mrs Ma (liked it but got distracted; might pick it up again sometime)
*Saved for later (can only watch small bits at a time, and I am rarely in the right mood):
-Mother
-My ajusshi
-Live
*Currently watching:
-Encounter (I like its wistfulness, but high risk for future story derailment)
*Planning to try at some point soon:
-Memories of Alhambra (I’m a W2W fan, not all this writer\’s stories work for me –see eg Nine— but when they do they really do; not getting the greatest vibe at the moment but I’ll give it a go)
-Red moon blue sun (maybe too depressing but my default-watch genre)
-Bad detective (just marathoned 4 seasons of Luther, curious about the Kr interpretation)
*Finished:
-I am not a robot (my drama of the year)
-Are you human too (my favorite scene of the year)
-Player and Switch (the world sucks and it’s nice to have at least a few scammers on the side of the little guy)
[yeah, I can see a pattern here]
mano
December 6, 2018 at 11:06 PM
Time travel is my all time favorite trope and robot drama never works for me 😆😆
CHARLIE
December 6, 2018 at 8:49 PM
Encounter Ep. 4 – the body language and symbolism were nicely done. To me, this is not a story about chaebol dramatics and grand gestures; it’s about taking a tiny step, about smiles that mean a thousand words, or listening to the sound of the waves while the outside world is raging on. It’s in the little moments when the show shines.
Thoughts: their relationship is getting more even with him fussing about her and bossing her around; also making sure that he clarifies that, whatever they are, their relationship is not just that of boss-employee. Him feeding her a piece of radish kimchi, sitting micrometers away from her on the rather wide bench, letting himself sleep on her shoulder or buying her lipstick as a bday present (because he thought it would look better on her lips)… those gestures are more intimate and speak more to their relationship than the public show at the company. And SH knowing rationally that this is going to end badly (for both) but still not being able to shut him out the way she knows she should… She can’t let him go because she needs him too badly. He knowingly refuses to let her go, because even if temporary he thinks their feelings are too important.
It’s cute that among the many things they have in common one is being willful, eccentric and kind of stubborn. They balance each other out quite nicely.
PS: yay for second leads that are not selfish jerks. That makes for a nice deviation from expectations. (I wonder when did I become so jaded that I automatically expect the worst of people? Must be all the nasty chaebol mothers…)
PPS: the dress vs. rice cakes as present. They were delivered with exactly the same message but one present was self-centered and obtained by throwing a roll of cash around while the other was about what she likes and a reminder of a shared memory. While nice as daddy long legs SH’s ex is still very much a product of his world. That’s the main reason why they’ll never work.
Nicnac74
December 17, 2018 at 9:21 PM
I haven’t seen the phrase “daddy long legs” in a while.😂. So appropriate.
CHARLIE
December 4, 2018 at 6:58 PM
Back from watching Shoplifters. Take-aways: life is colossally unfair and a kid is sometimes better off with a thief/murderer than in the care of clueless social workers. Color me upset and angry.
CHARLIE
December 3, 2018 at 10:38 AM
Reading a friend’s take on Encounter:
\”You know, Encounter is amazing not because of mood or acting (even though they are great) but because it takes one of the often done narratives – our protagonist experiencing mid life crisis/feeling about meaninglessness of life until they meet someone exciting and rediscover themselves – and makes it new by switching out the genders.
How many stories are there about powerful middle-aged women, with past relationship baggage, high social standing and constant ennui who meet free-spirited and poor young men who make them see the world anew through their manic pixie dreamboy qualities?
Yeah, I will wait.
Still waiting.
It’s also perfectly acted and shot, but what stays with me is the melancholy yet hopeful mood and the story set-up.
As someone who has neither a douchy ex nor a CEO position, I still found myself relating deeply to Song Hye Kyo’s burned-out character. The regrets are relatable, the possibility of an emotional miracle inspiring. But I am a lot closer to her age than the average kdrama watcher. I wonder if this drama works for someone who is a teen or in their early twenties or if it just appears a lot of fuss over nothing”.
I just had a bit of an epiphany: minus the chaebol ex and CEO position, I am her – mid thirties a successful career woman, who is single and used to it, but who hasn’t completely abandoned the possibility of happiness and wonder. Scary stakes.
greenfields
December 3, 2018 at 2:47 PM
Yes I think the drama works for younger viewers as well because Park Bo Gum. But I do believe you(/we) might be enjoying it – dare I say it – a little more. ^-^
Ally
December 3, 2018 at 9:05 PM
Sign this girl up for Dramabeans! That was well-written, thoughtful, and relateable!
DoubleFault
December 4, 2018 at 9:02 AM
I’m glad that we’re watching another drama together. Always love reading your thoughts. I, too, relate so much with Soohyun because of the things that you mentioned.
CHARLIE
December 2, 2018 at 6:53 PM
I’ve been in a weird watching mood in the last couple of months, not being able to stick to any kdrama; instead I binge watched a whole bunch of Chinese historical series (turns out if you watch selectively only the fun bits and skip the stupid third quarter and the depressing endings, they can be quite entertaining). Eventually these also lost their appeal, so I am back and -happy to report- in a more positive mood. Some thoughts on the new batch of dramas.
Clean with passion for now: KYJ is the soul of this. On the plus side: I like that despite the over-the-top-ness there is a core of genuine emotion that anchors the relationships; I also like the mains, the secretary and dad. On the minus side: I hate everyone else, in particular all the interchangeable side boys (badly acted and emotionally vacuous second lead, pink overalls gang, etc). Bonus points: my house had been in a mess for weeks and this got in the mood to do some serious cleaning. May give it a couple more eps before deciding.
Encounter: I love almost everything about it – the fairytale undertones, the gorgeous cinematography, the two leads and their first meeting. I like that both are genuinely nice people, who are smart and driven each in its own way. I adore Soo-Hyun, from her workaholic ways, to her relationship with her secretary and driver to her direct way of shutting off her annoying ex. What I love most is that she is not a doormat (unlike the main in Noona who buys me food). I get the feeling that she chose her ice queen existence for the sake of her father, but when push comes to shove she is capable of breaking through the chains of her public image. I also like Jin-Hyeok’s carefree ways, his love of books, and his stubbornness in living each day on his own terms (also I love, love, love his drunken antics, he\’s cuter than a whole basket of puppies). There are many challenges in their relationship and it looks like it will get bumpy from ep 3 on; but I am already invested in their happy ending and curious what will take to get them there (which is all one can hope for from a first week). I don’t know what will happen as the story progresses but I’m on board for now.
Tried and dropped: Happy if you died (while I like the female lead a lot, I don’t like KJH and I detest the character he is playing), Mama fairy (can’t connect with the characters, not much seems to happen, overall too weird), Top Star YB (not my taste)
Saved to check out during Xmas break: Red moon, Blue sun and Memories of Alhambra.
CHARLIE
October 30, 2018 at 5:54 PM
Beauty inside: There is something about the show\’s depiction of human interactions that really gets to me. Today\’s episode ended in sniffles and a strong desire to call my mother.
CHARLIE
October 16, 2018 at 7:17 PM
I guess I should at least say hi to everyone. 안녕! 오랜만이야
Still very much caught up in real life issues but recently I had been hoping for a good kdrama distraction. alas no can do. None of the rom things remotely appeal. I was really looking forward to Terrius – on paper SJS babysitting twins should spell a clear winner – yet I find myself bored. Bad sign if I find the villain to be the most entertaining character. Then there’s Million stars… which I could not bring myself to watch because the knowledge of the original keeps interfering with my perception of the now. [Where’s a nice selective amnesia when one needs one?]. Still watching Player and Miss Ma, but with limited emotional engagement. Back in the slump for the time being.
bbstl 🧹
October 16, 2018 at 7:31 PM
Hi Charlie –
Good thing you’re not too attached to the dramas because dramafever shut down today so it’s looking like we won’t be able to continue watching them for a while, if at all. No one knows what’s happening with them, it’s a great time for a slump!
korfan
October 17, 2018 at 1:55 AM
Hello to you too! Good to see you!
CHARLIE
October 17, 2018 at 5:14 AM
sorry for worrying you. I am mostly ok. Saw the INAR rabbit invite the other day but I was caught up at work and could not make it. Maybe this Sat… What time?
CHARLIE
August 25, 2018 at 3:45 PM
There’s a full moon tonight.
[still traveling, swamped with work and kind of overwhelmed by everything]
하데스
August 25, 2018 at 7:35 PM
Beautiful moonlight. Awesome cover to slow your pace a bit. Hang in there.
mugyuljoie is preciousss
August 25, 2018 at 11:56 PM
I’ve been hearing the overwhelmed word a lot this week. You’re not alone. Good luck!