Scene analyses and comparisons: Sam-Girl-Wolf-Rose edition
by javabeans
As you know, for the past couple of weeks, I’ve been on the prowl for a good show to watch. I’ve sampled a bunch of series, but so far, none has really stuck. The ones I’ve found interesting have been on the mild end of the excitement spectrum, but nothing’s really gripped me.
Maybe it’s because I haven’t been very into any of the series I’ve been trying that I’m finding myself more critical of little things. For instance: scenes or beats that aren’t merely reminiscent of earlier dramas, but downright lifted from them and transplanted into the new one. It’s one thing to wear an influence on one’s sleeve (for instance, the striking musical similarities in Hello! Miss‘s score to Dal Ja’s Spring were really obvious to me, but never got in the way); it’s another thing to pilfer directly.
(Random) SONG OF THE DAY
Vintage Blue – “Your Song” [ zShare download ]
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First off, I tried I AM SAM because I heard it was light and funny, and I’m always up for light and funny. It stars the girl I recognized from hit sitcom Unstoppable High Kick, and I tend to be slightly more interested in series when I can at least recognize a cast member or two.
But immediately, from the first scene the series took the opening sequence of 2006’s bizarro, off-color teen sex film DASEPO NAUGHTY GIRLS — and without even trying to make the scene its own, I Am Sam just lifted the scene from Dasepo, apropos of nothing.
In both versions of the scene, a hapless, ineffectual high school teacher finds himself at the mercy of his rowdy, disobedient class, and hangs his head in shame. Shouldering the responsibility for being unable to teach his students properly, he invites the head student to come up and spank him in punishment.
In I Am Sam (above), the teacher is alarmed to see his students accept his proposal without hesitation, and shrinks back to have his bluff called. In Dasepo Naughty Girls (below), the teacher actually gets a perverse sadomasochistic thrill (it ain’t a sex comedy for nothing), since Dasepo is much racier than the made-for-television-broadcast I Am Sam. But that just highlights Sam‘s lack of originality even more — not only did it directly copy previously released material, it watered it down.
By the way, the movie Dasepo Naughty Girls is not to be confused with the cable TV show bearing the same name, although both are based on the same blue manhwa series centering around taboo and sex-themed goings-on at Useless High School. The film is silly and free-flying, more raunchy than erotic, imbued in a rich candy-coated color palette, and boasting a roster of young new talent, including Kim Ok Bin (Over the Rainbow), Park Jinwoo (Nonstop 5, Bad Family), Yoo Gun (Hello God, Bad Couple), Kim Byul (Taereung National Village), Eun Sung (Que Sera Sera), Lee Kyun (Hello Francesca), Lee Yong Joo (Goong)…
The cable TV version is completely different in tone — darker, more perverse, weird. But that’s something for another post.
And then, there’s TIME OF DOG AND WOLF, which I should’ve been much more interested in seeing, because I think Nam Sang Mi (Bad Family, Sweet Spy) is adorable. But when I watched the first episode, it felt so… empty. All flash and no substance.
Its high-octane opening should have been exciting — Lee Junki speeding away in a furious high-speed car chase — but it was like a James Bond movie without the Bond. I don’t have much of an opinion on Lee Junki, but I’ve noticed his tendency to overact, back when he was the sensitive second lead in My Girl.
(I stole this pic from the thread at soompi; sorry, I don’t know any further credits.)
(Can we talk about My Girl for a second? I see why people consider Lee Junki cute, but I don’t really get the appeal. And as Jeong Woo, he was vastly annoying with his over-emoting — oh great, now he’s crying again. Poor him. I never believed he was truly in love with Yoo Rin, so all his tears and blubbering got on my nerves. I would actually yell at my screen, “I don’t feel sorry for you at all! Next!” Between him and Park Shi Yeon of the flaring nostrils, it’s a wonder My Girl was so charming — actually, I think Lee Dong Wook was the only actor who didn’t overact in the entire series.)
Anyway, so Time of Dog and Wolf left me bored, and then I forgot about it. Until, that is, I randomly picked another old series to watch, 2005’s GREEN ROSE, which immediately brought back to mind Dog and Wolf‘s first episode.
Similarly, Green Rose immediately kicks off with a high-speed car chase — our hero, played by GO SOO, is desperately trying to shake off the authorities, unsuccessfully. In total contrast to Wolf and Dog, the opening of Green Rose had me intrigued and invested — I’m still not sure why, and I’m not going to oversimplify it as an acting comparison between the male leads, although that is one factor.
It could be that Dog and Wolf kicked off its action without context — a guy in a dark car, chased by dark-suited guys in more dark cars. But Green Rose pays more attention to emotional context — Go Soo drives a newlyweds’ car decorated in “just married” ribbons, in sad, sharp contrast to the grimness of his situation. It could also be because of Go Soo’s interpretation of his character, who drives on with solemn, desperate, but cool determination. He’s got the Bourne Identity underdog thing going for him — clearly outnumbered, clearly screwed, driving a battered car into a dead end — that makes us want to root for him. And when he’s caught, his despair is stark, as he looks at the water below, preparing to jump — and rather than giving us a Fugitive-esque moment where we know he’s going to survive the fall, Go Soo is at the end of his road.
It’s a pretty ballsy way to start off a series, because Go Soo closes his eyes in finality, and thinks:
“I could have been happy, too. Mother, Su Ah… We could have been happy. Couldn’t we?”
And then he jumps…
“At just 26 years and eight months old, in the cold river waters, I died.”
This is seven minutes into the first episode. Then we backtrack to happier days.
Normally, Green Rose is exactly the kind of series I’d hate to watch — there’s NO HOPE, and seriously, you think I’m gonna stick around?? It’s a hair melodramatic for my taste, and as far as I’ve seen it’s not really funny at all. Even the lovely Lee Da Hae wouldn’t be much of a draw in a series I dislike. But for some reason, there’s something compelling about Green Rose — and I’m sure many viewers felt the same, given its success during its initial run two years ago. But we’ll see how things go…
(Oh, by the way, please don’t spoil me for Green Rose — I don’t really care about the others, but in the event I stick with Rose, I’d hate to lose steam by having things spoiled. Thanks!)
Tags: Green Rose, I Am Sam, Lee Jun-ki, My Girl, Time of Dog and Wolf
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51 kdrama addict
September 2, 2007 at 4:32 PM
I also suggest that you try out Surgeon Bong Dal Hee. I just finished watching that and I really like it. Perhaps the reason is that I'm interested in the medical aspect of the drama. But, overall it was a very satisfying experience and I learned alot about cardio-surgeries.
I completely agree about Time between dog and wolf. LJK is not attractive at all.
Then, After SBDH, I was really interested in female lead, Lee Yo Won. So I tried out Fashion 70s. I pretty much skimmed through the series(crunchyroll) since it is like 27 episodes, but it was really good as well.
Also, thanks for all the wonderful summaries and drama-infos you have posted. Really helpful!
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52 jinkzzmec
September 2, 2007 at 5:01 PM
Like the majority of CP fans, the conclusion of the series have left me in Kdrama limbo...wandering from one Kdrama to another but not really finding anything interesting.
Since CP has turned me into a GY admirer, I rewatched 2 of his Kdramas , One Fine Day ( I really hated the ending when i saw it the first time and still did when i rewatched it but for GY's sake , i endured it 'til the end .LOL) and Hello, My Teacher ( which managed to make me cry again). I also rewatched his Kmovies : Superstar Mr. Gam, My Tutor Friend, She's on Duty and S Diary , the last 2 movies with Kim Sun Ah ( As much as i love Hyun Bin in MNIKSS, I can't help but wonder if the drama would have reached as high a rating ,53% WOW!!!, that it reached if GY played the part of Hyun Jin Heon...hmmm). The only GY movie that i did not watch is Spy Girl ( i'm just not crazy over Kim Jeong-Hwa, partly maybe because i have not gotten over the fact that i wasted so much of my time watching her Kdrama, 1% of Anything)...OKAY, i'm way off the topic, Sorry.
I started watching 9 end , 2 outs and Get Karl!Oh Soo Jung . 9 end, 2 out is painfully dragging IMO . I also find the second lead, Lee Tae Sung, annoying. I can totally understand why the rating for this Kdrama has been so low. On the other hand, i like Get Karl! because i find the drama funny and having Oh Ji Ho as Karl is a definite plus, for me.
TODAW doesn't really interest me for the simple reason that i didn't particularly care for LJK's acting abilities in My Girl ( Loved LDW in that drama, though). I dont get all the hype sorrounding TODAW, maybe for that reason I should give it a try...hmmm, i'm not even dare think about starting to watch it since i might end up kicking myself in the a*$ for wasting my time...LOL.
I think, for the time being , i'll just resign myself to re-watching all the kdrama that i have previously enjoyed like MNIKSS, QSS and Lovers in Paris. LIP was actually the very first Kdrama ive seen and started my kdrama obsession. Little did i know when i started watching LIP that it would open my eyes to a whole new world ...the world of Korean dramas, movies and shows. It also sparked my interest in learning about Korean culture ( next time we go home to the Philippines, we might stop by in Seoul for a few days...if i can convince my husband)`and helped me discover my (and my husband's ) love for Korean cuisine which, by the way, has become an everyday staple at our table just like SINIGANG or ADOBO . It is so funny because we make more trips to the Korean supermarket than we do at the Filipino stores. Now, if only learning to speak, read and write in Korean language is as easy as learning to cook Korean cuisine, then it would really make my day. Unfortunately, i am not gifted when it comes to learning a foreign language but that only makes me want to strive harder. Who knows, maybe by the time another Kdrama as good as CP comes along, i would know enough to understand the drama without the subs :) *wishful thinking*
Sorry if i got carried away with my ramblings...Javabeans, I am looking forward to your next project. Thank you for making my CP experience more fun and enjoyable. Hmmm...i think i'll re-watch ( for the nth time) CP again...Arghh...CP withdrawal is so painfully hard and trying...kekekeke
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53 jinkzzmec
September 2, 2007 at 5:28 PM
Javabeans, sorry for the double post...this is really off the topic but i want to ask you something...i dont know if you live in LA area but if you do, do you happen to know of amy good Korean restaurant that serves authentic Sam Gae Tang? Preferrably close to Hollywood/ BH / Koreatown area. I found a recipe online but before i try my hand at cooking it at home, i want to see what it taste like first . That way, for comparison's sake, i would know if my cooking taste wierd or something :)
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54 HELLOGOODBYE
September 3, 2007 at 2:32 AM
I think you update really little these days.
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55 Gramps
September 3, 2007 at 2:55 AM
# 54 HELLOGOODBYE "I think you update really little these days."
Oh come on! Give her a break! As far as I'm concerned, if javabeans decided she needed to take a two year world cruise without Internet access to recover from all her efforts over recent weeks, I'd be sad, but not annoyed, in view of what she's given us. And I'd still be waiting at the keyboard in best KDrama "Two years later..." fashion for when she got back. And I bet I wouldn't be alone.
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56
September 3, 2007 at 3:49 AM
Nam Sang Mi is adorable...and TBDAW gets sooo much better...don't give up!! It really starts to pick up after a few eps...I can honestly say this drama has me hooked. I would love to see you do write ups on it...it's total love:P:P
LJK totally overacted in My Girl but he is actually much better in this...he looks so manly o.0
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57 Javabeans
September 3, 2007 at 7:29 AM
"I think you update really little these days."
Seriously? SERIOUSLY?? -_-
Maybe you should try it.
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58 Cathy
September 3, 2007 at 7:49 AM
Seriously guys!i've been jumping from one drama to the next and rewatched all my fave drama before but....... so what have u been watching lately yourselves?any good drama to watch out yet?
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59 Jo
September 3, 2007 at 12:03 PM
I totally thought the same about Lee Junki in My Girl. My mom and I would watch it and laugh because there he goes again with his crying. I swear, I though you could make a drinking game out of it. As for looking for something post Coffee Prince, it's been a little difficult. I do have a few suggestions though if you haven't taken a look at them yet. For Korean romantic comedieis, I'm currently watching 9 end 2 outs--about friendship evolving into a relationship. For Japanese drama, I've been watching Hotaru no Hikari and Hanazakari no Kimitachi e.
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60 ajed
September 3, 2007 at 1:16 PM
I agree with what some of you have said about TBDW. The first 3 episodes are meh... but thats pretty much bc they set the plot for whats to come. If you can get past those 3 then trust me you'll be rewarded later! ;) Not that TBDW isnt lacking at times but what it lacks in originality it more than makes up for in suspense and excitement...
LJK has totally redeemed himself for his my girl performance... its kinda hard to believe that its the same actor that played these two characters. I agree with 56: he is so manly here... hehehe....
So for those of you who gave up after the first few episodes try and give this drama a shot. I dont think you'll regret it!
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61 Dais
September 3, 2007 at 2:00 PM
LJK....I so love to see his nicely set of teeth, beautiful lips and chin, not to mention his megawatt smile...he does tend to overact...but, oh well....While waiting for javabeans' ( patiently) next endeavor I just have to be happy with my "House MD" dvds....cheers to you javabeans!!
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62 Dais
September 3, 2007 at 2:04 PM
I think HELLOGOODBYE was joking.....seriously...
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63 simi
September 3, 2007 at 5:39 PM
#55 THANKS GRAMPS!!! I could not have said any better. I'd be there waiting with you....
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64 queeninmycastle
September 3, 2007 at 6:35 PM
more CP withdrawal.
cant also seem to find new drama to int'rest me.i've seen GR long time ago...GO SOO is good in portraying his part.thou its a sad revengeful drama (if there is such a word for it to describe)it is worth watching.
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65 catinmyfridge
September 3, 2007 at 6:50 PM
Yup,
Koreans are running out of ideas. It's unavoidable. There's only so many ways you can reinvent a tired old love story; but, I have to give them credit, it was good while it lasted.
Anyway, about GREEN ROSE.... the reason why that series was so good was because that whole series was based on THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK by a famous French creole author.
One story that often gets remade by Hollywood about every few years or so.
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66 CW
September 3, 2007 at 7:28 PM
I guess I'm in the minority but I really liked Lee Jun Ki in My Girl. I was turned off by his appearance and in fact, I thought his first scene was lesbian and was surprised that kdrama didn't mind showing girls making out (even if they were in Italy) till I realized that one 'she' was really a 'he'. But in terms of his character's personality, I loved it and thought he did a great job (acting-wise) on that drama. I just had a huge problem with the way he looked.
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67 adr
September 4, 2007 at 12:09 AM
hey! I agree with #45 yeli.
I think TODAW is kinda boring in the beginning because of the flashbacks and the lackluster opening. However, the series really sends your adrenalin rushing through when you watch the subsequent episodes. You wouldnt want to miss any of the scenes for a quick toilet break (no exaggerations here). Each episode has its own action and suspense and at the end of each episode, you just cannot wait for the next wednesday to arrive.
I started watching this series because i was bored and i totally had no interest in the cast. the only cast I knew were the 2 male leads. I have stumbled upon the drama wiki website for TODAW several times but it always doesnt seem to interest me. Until the day I started watching the first episode. You'll get to see LJK's acting -which I think has greatly improved from his My Girl days which was just mediocre (perhaps his role was just too minor for him to shine).
Seriously, I think you should give TODAW a try :) it is a different genre from the typical romance dramas - plus, the storyline is quick paced and does not drag. This show is something worth your time reviewing it. Somehow i find that the ratings are showing injustice to the show.
Another show would be 9 End 2 Outs! That show has a very simple and realistic storyline but it somehow just glues me to the screen whenever I watch it.
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68 NM
September 4, 2007 at 12:56 AM
I watched GR a long time ago and I thought it was okay. It could've been better if they kept up with the pace and acting. Good luck watching it. After CP, nothing's really sound interesting to watch. although i'm tempted to download Capital Scandal and ToDaW. I switch to J-dramas when i can't find any k-drama that sustains my attention. Try checking out "Haikei Chichiuesama". It's a beautiful series with a little bit of drama and comedy. Another drama similar to it is "Yashashii Jikan", a couple years older than the first one. The setting is like Cheers where everybody knows your name LOL! but seriously, they serve coffee instead of beer. and they also let customers grind their own coffee beans to help release stress...i thought that was very clever.
By the way, I never got to thank you for all your hardwork during the CP period. I really enjoy reading your summaries and comments :)
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69 Gramps
September 4, 2007 at 1:14 AM
# 65catinmyfridge "Koreans are running out of ideas. It’s unavoidable. There’s only so many ways you can reinvent a tired old love story."
Well, there are also only so many ways you can combine six two-digit numbers. But the total of those ways is quite large enough to make playing the lottery a mug's game. Or, as Schoenberg remarked when someone unwisely claimed that he had turned to 12-tone composition because the possibilities of traditional melody and harmony were exhausted: "there are plenty of tunes still to be written in C major".
All story-telling and all drama reinvents and recyles ancient plots and familiar motives. Sometimes it's done well, sometimes badly. But done it always is. That's the only unavoidable part. Korean writers, directors and players have been doing it astonishingly well in recent years. They won't do so for ever, because such bursts of collective creativity in individual cultures always burn themselves out eventually. But I don't think the Korean wave has crested yet, and when it eventually does and duly dies away, it won't be because a finite number of plot combinations has been worked through and exhausted.
"Anyway, about GREEN ROSE…. the reason why that series was so good was because that whole series was based on THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK "
Well, that would be The Count of Monte Cristo, the most influential revenge plot in recent Western European culture. The Man in the Iron Mask is quite a different story. It could be argued that parallels with CMC are just as close in DAW as they are in GR. But that isn't why either Korean drama is good or bad, or why one may be better than the other.
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70 twee
September 4, 2007 at 3:11 AM
wow...i havent seen the similarities mentioned cos i have yet to watch any of the new dramas yet...but mayb i will soon?? im not too sure...
but hey...theres lots of similarities in lots of various dramas, ppl take wat they think is good and incorporate it into the story line...kinda stupid i think tho cos originality is best! plus it would have more appeal to!...but then theres the idea of using something which has already proven itself to b successful so y not? but personally i get why u would b irritated by the fact that these "new" dramas ending reminding u of a drama u've seen already....especially wen its really obvious too?
but hey hope ur able to find an exciting drama which doesnt lack originality soon
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71 Cartman
September 4, 2007 at 8:35 AM
34 si,
you have beautifully written the gist of alone in love. I was having second thoughts in watching it. but now, because of your comment, I am now excited to watch! I will definitely start watching it on the weekend. thanks so much! :)
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72 Beng
September 4, 2007 at 8:43 AM
Yey! I've seen green rose but will not tell you anything. Go soo is one of my fave korean actor (Gong yOO is my most fave right now). MIss him already, i wonder when he's coming out from his military service. I think he's a good actor, if not because of that, he might not make it because he's a little short compared to the the typical kdrama leading men. Park Shin Yang is not your typical kdrama leading man also, but boy can he act?!!! He's so great in MOney's Warfare. I think we will win an award bec. of that kdrama. By the way, do you know any old Kdrama of Gong Yoo? I've collected hundreds already but this is only the 3rd i've seen.
Shucks!!! you know what, i reviewed his filmography and it seems i've seen all of his movies and kdramas written there. I wonder if those are just the recent ones...hmmm...
Also read that he's slated to enter the military soon, meaning next month =(. Awwww, i'm gonna miss him. Good thing some of the best guys i like came back already =).
Re LJK yes, he tend to over act. He looks good at least and love it when he dances (^-^).
By the way, since you are in between projects (^-^), i've been meaning to ask you, can you give the meaning of each actors name? Like Eun, Kim, Lee, or Lee Eun Hye, Lee Minwoo. I know Byul means star, Bada means sea or ocean. I become curious when i watched a Kdrama that came from CHina. They subbed even the meaning of the characters' name - there's spring roll, beautiful morning, rice, gold etc.. It gave me headache but found it funny later when i catched on. If those are some of the meanings, i thnk i like it.
Thanks so much and God Bless =)
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73 swtaznlaydee
September 4, 2007 at 5:57 PM
everything lee jun ki touches turns to gold to me. you have to admit that he has crazy acting skills. yeah. like everyone says u get into the plot after the first 2-3 episodes. i hope you give time of dog and wolf a chance ;D cuz i think after coffee prince, todw is the drama with high ratings right now. lols. i'm not feeling KARL. KARL seems boring to me. something is missing. i love 9 ends 2 outs. even though the plot is dragging a little bit, the chemistry between hyung tae and nan hee attracts me. lols. the only person i hate is im yoon ah. the crazy teenage girl.
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74 becca
September 4, 2007 at 7:33 PM
Hmm...about My Girl
Interesting...Seo Jeong Woo was one of the only "third-wheel" k-drama characters that I actually felt pity for! It was overacted, yes......and, I think that we just didn't get enough info on WHY he was inlove with Yoo Rin....so, it did feel a bit unbelievable for him to be truly in love with her...
But I felt like his "crying scenes" were more believeable than the rest! (especially in Goong...Oh..i hated Lee Yul)...
Now "kim sae Hyun" Is a different story. Honestly, IDK what is the big deal with that girl. I hated her in MG...because all she did was Scoff the whole time!! She seriously had no other reactions.....she just went "humph" and like u said "flared her nostrils"!! I don't get why she even became famous!!
*by the way..i'm not korean, so Im not familiar with the korean "standard of beauty"...but is the actress that played kim sae hyun in MG.....is she considered pretty in Korea??*
Anyway.....I loved Green Rose!! I won't spoil it for you.........and I hope you stick with it!
It might get long and draggy at times......but it's a wonderful drama!!!
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75 mireenae
September 4, 2007 at 8:36 PM
I was totally turned off my the first episode of time of WOlf and Dog too...
But...it does get better. I promise.
A lot of people in korea have started watching the series later...
the characters do get some development.
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76 closet_queen
September 5, 2007 at 9:00 AM
hi. i would recommend you to check 9 ends and 2 outs. some people say the pacing is too slow but i think as a whole its really sweet and nice. this is the drama i'm currently watching together with coffee prince :) check it out. You mught like it...
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77 ZigzagCatcher
September 5, 2007 at 12:31 PM
You might want to try Lovers in Prague or All In (I liked All In better than Green Rose, but Rose is a good choice too). I really enjoyed watching those. CP withdrawl has actually pushed me towards some Jdoramas.
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78 star_bucks
September 5, 2007 at 2:58 PM
#45 yeli took the words right out of my mouth! TODAW is really worth watching - even if your thing is romantic comedies. even though it is more on the melodramatic side (identity, twisted/bad fate, redemption, romance) it does not wade in the "cesspool of sadness" for 16 eps. like A Love to Kill (that drama made romeo and juliet look like "my big fat greek wedding") anyway the first ep is not horrifically bad - just slower compared to the other 15 eps. i just finished watching ep 13 and at the end of every episode i am astounded that the plot has turned AGAIN in a completely different direction. even though the romance isn't very obvious (esp. from LJK'S side) it is understandable. he's playing a character who cannot afford to have a romance, he's haunted by his past and can't invest himself in a relationship like he knows he should - so he doesn't try to tie her down. another thing about this drama is that the character development is really great - LJK really does a good job acting especially when things "change dramatically" about midway through the series. ( i don't want to spoil it for anybody) anywhoo i just want to get the point across that TODAW is really enjoyable even for those who don't enjoy the action genre...i would looove it if you posted episode summaries for TODAW...alas it is a free country.... :)
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79 thunderbolt
September 5, 2007 at 9:52 PM
"...it does not wade in the “cesspool of sadness” for 16 eps..."
star_bucks, that's such a neat description of the Time of Dog and Wolf plot. Love it!
TODAW doesn't have characters staring into space in endless stupor as they bemoan their ill fate. It doesn't have the tiresome love triangles or quadrangles that keep going around in circles and make you want to choke some people to death. Neither does it have meddlesome parents and ex-girlfriends/boyfriends. The premise of the story is very sad - a man who's trapped between a powerful triad and a National Intelligence Service out to exploit him and who, in a sense, no longer exists as a person on this earth - and yet it doesn't wallow in its sadness. The drama doesn't drag at all. Every episode has its surprises that keep you on edge. Each episode is better than the one before it. The three young leads are amazing and I love them all, including Jung Kyung Ho who exasperated me to no end in Sorry I Love You. His character is just adorable in TODAW, so impetuous and prone to 'going nuts' (to quote what Nam Sang Mi's character said about him). I adore Nam Sang Mi and think she's perfect for her role. Since I'm allergic to actresses who wail like they're being skinned alive, I'm grateful that NSM's crying is so natural and understated. Her eyes just need to fill with tears and I can immediately sense her pain and bewilderment. As for Lee Jun Ki, all I can say is I'm beyond proud of him.^^
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80 bobkatz
September 6, 2007 at 10:37 PM
#74becca. I'm pretty sure Park Si Yeon, the actress who played Kim Seo-hyun was Miss Korea, plus she is/was (not sure whether they're still together) dating Eric from Shinhwa, that probably can't hurt her profile.
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81 FD
September 7, 2007 at 2:30 AM
Alrite!!so theres nothing as exciting at the moment....I keep reverting to CP everytime I try watching a new k-drama....everything seems so bland!!But life goes on and I have found something else to keep me occupied these days...9 end 2 outs!!It might not be as captivating as CP but yes it does grow on one after a while...I especially like the lead actor..hmm he is fit!!I did enjoy him in "Love Story at Harvard" ,hence I thought i should give it a go.Maybe you guys should try watching it aswell?!!
Anyway, Javabeans I just love your style of writing...keep up the good work!!Thoroughly enjoyed your summaries on CP!!ahhh maybe i'll go back to reading them again :)
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82 all4movies
November 20, 2007 at 11:19 AM
I've almost finished watching Green Rose (episode 19) and have really enjoyed watching Go Soo who reminds me of an older version of Li Wan whom I also like. Lee Da Hae is fast becoming one of my favourite actresses too. I'll be getting this series as soon as I'm done, along with Hello Miss.
For those who are bored and have started watching japanese dramas, Nodame Cantible is hilarious. Also check out Hotaru no Hikari if you like quirky characters. For some interesting mysteries, check out Galileo. Handsome scientist meets rookie female cop and fireworks (actually laser beams) are shooting off (literally).
For those who think javabeans is too slow, poo on you. Just be thankful she even shares her wonderful thoughts and comments with us. I am amazed that she can find time to even post up to 3 daily postings. You're my angel.
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83 jacqueline
November 30, 2007 at 8:38 AM
whoops. i realise i'm really late in commenting here (: anyhow i just chanced upon this site today, thanks a lot for all your reviews and info!
i must agree with what most people have said about TBDAW here. but am i the only one who didn't find the first episode draggy? haha, maybe because i was already in love with junki and couldn't wait to watch this series. all the anticipation really was worth it, though, and TBDAW really blew me away with its excellent acting and plot development. it was a fresh change from the typical romance k-dramas, and junki's performance was superb. (i'll also have to agree with what you said about his slightly annoying angsty scenes of my girl, though i really like the way he cried, haha.) each member of TBDAW's cast is so immersed in his role, and everyone's fleshed out so well that there aren't really any two-dimensional characters. starting from around episode 4, the drama's pace really picked up and i would be all emotionally charged after each episode, ha ha. i also thoroughly enjoyed episodes 11 through 16.
so if you haven't finished it yet, do watch it! (:
i'll be sure to check back here for more updates in the future and thanks again!
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84 dae
December 9, 2007 at 4:46 PM
OUCH! that hurt. But yeah, I could probably sympathize with you on your view of LJK in 'time bet WOLF and DOG' (or whatever really the title is). I haven't finished it yet am still on chapter 10 (or 11?).
I have mentioned a few times I dislike tearjerkers with pathetic endings. I don't like having a heavy heart and as what I've heard with Green Rose its nasal draining. besides, the guy who starred there often act with his eyes totally distracting my concentration on all of his scenes- it looked walled or something. For some freaking reason he doesn't look to other people directly in the eye (is it just in the series that he does that or in real life as well?). Nevertheless, am always drawn to watch his other feel good heart pinching series. He seemed to play endearing roles the kind -where you'd like to hug him or be hug by him and say or have him say 'its okay honey everything's gonna be alright'.
Back to LJK's 'Time... ' I know he had some moments there where his fish-eyeball seemed to pop out of its socket but please do watch it entirely. I like the way it paced up to its plot (huh? pardon my grammar). You may consider it shallow (double ouch) but its quite entertaining. I don't see that kind of action at the same time enjoyed watching it like in those other series i've watched before it. In LJK's 'Time... it had good supporting character actors which gave a bit of balance to what was exaggerated (I must have been blind 'coz I didn't notice. I was sooo into LJK). Who was that mafia leader? I think he's veteran and sooooo cool (Can I have a crush on him too?), I think he was effective in his role. There's this young kid playing mafia protegee, I think I saw him opposite Soo Ae, he's cute in that series - 9 innings?.
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85 Lindsey J.
December 26, 2007 at 9:49 PM
I think that I Am Sam opening was meant to be a joke. The main character is always acting out scenes and using lines from various dramas/movies. It's funny. I think if you get a little further into I am Sam you'd see that it's not so bad.
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86 anastacia cellere
March 2, 2008 at 12:53 AM
hey!!!!! i love your korean tv drama,to marry a millionaire,,,,.....
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87 jasmine
May 15, 2008 at 8:14 AM
u two are very equal
act more films
i am one of ur fans
i like u
i like ko soo most among the actors
then i like lee dae hee most among the actresses
i am from myanmar but i am chinese
wish u two will be more successful among the actors and actresses
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88 jasmine
May 15, 2008 at 8:21 AM
i like green rose drama very much
i am one of ur fans
stay like rich guy
ur face is kind
i mean u Go Soo
wish u will be success
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89 emeldy
April 21, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Well i love... Lee Jun Ki since Time between Dog and Wolf was my all time favorite i have been recommending it to everyone i know who are in to K drama, It put me at an edge through out . People complained about the ending but i liked it there was some HOPE of happy ending .. I really think it was better than Green Rose , which was too draggy , and my sis fav... And trust me my sis and i are total opposite, so no wonder.
WELL ... i am looking forward to his next drama or movie... Now i have become a loyal fan, m sure i will not be disappointed ..........
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90
July 3, 2009 at 6:18 AM
I love TBDAW. Anything if anyone tried to watch it until ep 3 will feel satisfied with the excellence of the drama
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91 OppaOppa
January 7, 2010 at 3:33 PM
Green Rose, I thought was a highly addictive drama, that I really enjoyed and everyone I recommended it to also really enjoyed it.
This an excellent drama, slighty flawed by the script writing at times and of it's extended episodes. With a little fine-tuning here and there this could have been a brilliant drama.
When they extended the drama due to it's popularity, they flattened and dragged out the intensity and impact of it's ending.
None the less, still loved it immensely. Probably due to the lead actors.
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