Boys Before Flowers: Episode 17

266 March 3, 2009January 24, 2016

by javabeans

I don’t know if this was by design or by chance (because of the broadcast delay), but this episode had some quieter moments, which have been a rare thing in this series — it’s usually so jam-packed with The Drama. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, though, because for once we had a little breathing room in some scenes, and it was a refreshing change.

Now if we didn’t also have a few mind-bogglingly embarrassing scenes mixed in among those nicely spaced-out ones…

SONG OF THE DAY

The Name – “처음 사랑했을 때처럼” (Like when we were first in love) [ Download ]

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EPISODE 17 RECAP

Revisiting happier times, Ji-hoo watches home videos showing him at age five, playing around with his then-doting grandfather. Ex-President Yoon similarly loses himself in memories of the day Ji-hoo’s parents died.

(Just kiss and make up, you two!)

Jun-pyo faces off with his mother, who wants him to officially accept his engagement with Jae-kyung. She tells him that Shinhwa’s deal with JK Group is a huge deal — is he so thoughtless that he could give up everything his father and grandfather worked so hard for, over a silly thing like love?

Jun-hee storms in and instructs Jun-pyo to leave. Steely, she asks her mother, “Wasn’t it enough to do it to me? You need a hotel, so you sell your daughter. You need investments, and sell your son. What are you going to do if you need something else? You have no children left.”

Madam Kang insists it’s all for her children’s sake, at which Jun-hee scoffs. She’s never felt that anything her mother did was for their benefit. Mom asks her where her current happiness comes from if not her, and Jun-hee laughs bitterly: “Happiness? Do you know what happiness is?”

Jun-hee warns Mom to leave Jun-pyo alone — she won’t sit back this time.

Jan-di is busy at work, filling in for her parents on the janitorial night shift, when Ji-hoo steps into the lobby and sees her. After a moment, Ji-hoo pushes up his sleeves and grabs some supplies to join in. Jan-di is a little abashed but grateful for the help, and together, they clean the windows and the floors.

Afterward, Ji-hoo waits for Jan-di outside the restrooms, but grows concerned when she doesn’t emerge. He tries calling, but though he can hear the ringtone sounding, nobody picks up. Cautiously, he looks inside, and finds Jan-di collapsed on the ground.

Ji-hoo rushes Jan-di home and calls a doctor, who says Jan-di will be fine with some rest; she’s just overworked.

Seeing some blood on Jan-di’s finger, Ji-hoo is reminded of the time Jan-di had wrapped his bleeding finger for him. Ji-hoo takes her hand and presses a kiss to it…

…at just the moment that Jun-pyo drops by. Jun-pyo watches for a moment, then turns and silently leaves. In his car, her thinks back to the confrontation at the Macau airport, when Ji-hoo declared that he won’t step aside this time. There’s an interesting moment, I think, when he laughs and cries at the same time, then erupts into frustration.

Thus when they cross paths at school, he ignores her. (She’s nursing a bloody nose, indicative of overworking — although who else immediately thought of That Other Drama Cliché, the cancer storyline? I doubt that’s the intent, but still, there was a little too much emphasis on Jan-di’s blood to escape that thought.) Jun-pyo walks right by her, and Jan-di, feeling hurt, doesn’t see him turn back to watch her. He kicks the wall in anger.

It must be this frustration, coupled with his mother’s constant browbeating, that forces him into his next decision, which we hear from Jae-kyung that night.

Jae-kyung calls Jan-di out and meets her at the playground, grabbing Jan-di in a hug and fighting tears as she starts to speak. At first, Jan-di worries that something has happened to Jun-pyo, but it turns out that Jae-kyung’s tears are of happiness — Jun-pyo finally came around and suggested they start dating officially.

Jae-kyung was so thrilled she just had to share, and gushes, “Isn’t it so romantic to fall in love with your fiancée?” (I think that’s a little backward, but we get the point.) She also thanks Jan-di: “I’m so happy I have a friend to tell.” Jan-di looks like she would dearly love to not be that friend, but musters up a weak “Congratulations.”

The new couple makes their first official appearance at some kind of Shinhwa event (a cell phone launch party?). F4 is subdued around Jae-kyung, and Jun-pyo himself isn’t too enthusiastic to be here with her; he’s mostly quiet as his friends halfheartedly greet Jae-kyung and trade looks.

Jun-pyo and Jae-kyung greet the proud parents, and Madam Kang expresses her approval of Jae-kyung. Even when her parents suggest that she calm down and act befitting her position, Madam Kang encourages her to continue being her bright, lively self — I’m guessing that she really doesn’t care about the girl’s personality given her lofty connections.

Jun-pyo and Jae-kyung leave the party early to go on their first official date, during which Jun-pyo looks mostly unhappy and disconnected while Jae-kyung tries to engage his attention. I think on some level, Jae-kyung must be aware of Jun-pyo’s feelings, because she’s not completely dumb — she does notice his distraction when they’re at the movies (they’re watching Speed Scandal, by the way).

But she ignores this and keeps the date moving along, whether it’s by shoving popcorn into Jun-pyo’s mouth, dragging him around a teddy bear museum, or goading him into riding the cable car with her. (When he tells her to go alone, she teases him about being afraid of heights, prompting him to come along out of annoyance.)

In the cable car, Jun-pyo spies the message he’d scrawled on the wall the night he got stuck there with Jan-di, and I’m exceedingly disappointed that it wasn’t Jae-kyung who saw the message rather than him. Instead, Jae-kyung enjoys a moment of closeness when the cable car jerks — she misreads the way he automatically puts his arm around her to steady her as a sign of affection.

(At least, I think she’s misreading it, because I don’t think Jun-pyo is actually interested in her. It’s not that he couldn’t be attracted to her — maybe he would have been, if not for Jan-di — but that his feelings for Jan-di tend to be so overwhelming that I just don’t think he’s got room to think about anyone else.)

Ji-hoo comes upon Jan-di studying in their stairwell, and she jokes that at this rate, it would be a miracle for her to make it to medical school. But, she reasons, even if she doesn’t, she could always continue helping out at his grandfather’s clinic.

Belatedly remembering that the estranged grandfather is a touchy subject, Jan-di cuts herself off, then suggests that Ji-hoo make up with him. Ji-hoo answers curtly that they’d never fought — he was abandoned. Jan-di hesitantly mentions that his grandfather feels awful and misses him, but that just elicits a scornful laugh.

Their attention is diverted by two people walking down the hallway just inside — it’s Jae-kyung, nagging and hanging on to Jun-pyo’s arm. Jun-pyo’s growing increasingly irritated at Jae-kyng’s constant clinging, which she defends by saying is because she feels uncertain about their relationship. However, she offers to stop tagging along all the time if he’ll make her feel more secure — then she’ll stay put and wait for him patiently.

Jun-pyo asks what it’ll take for her to do that, and she answers, “Give me a kiss.” Her request makes Jun-pyo think back to all the (romantic, sweet) kisses he’d shared with Jan-di… and then he makes up his mind. He grabs Jae-kyung quickly and kisses her — but in contrast to his kisses with Jan-di, his eyes remain open, cold, unfeeling.

Ji-hoo grabs Jan-di to keep her from seeing (it’s a thoughtful, but mostly useless, gesture) and holds her against him until Jun-pyo breaks the kiss.

It has meant nothing to Jun-pyo and he walks off, thinking he’s earned his freedom. But Jae-kyung, happy now, persists in following him, causing him to grumble, “What now?”

Jae-kyung has a list of things she’s always wanted to do with a boyfriend (99 things, in fact) and suggests they tackle one thing per day. By the time they reach their 100-day mark, they’ll be done with her list and be a “real couple” by then. (Jun-pyo, meanwhile, is exasperated at the prospect of still being with her in 100 days.)

I almost put this screencap up top, because it’s my favorite shot from today, and I think it demonstrates the feel of this episode well — quiet, with space to breathe.

Ji-hoo can see how hurt Jan-di is by the kiss, and continues to follow her as she walks around in a daze (even running into a glass door). As with the mop scene before, Ji-hoo gives Jan-di her space and doesn’t push, but stays in the background until she’s ready to talk. When she finally does, she asks him to take her somewhere.

This ends up being the river.

As they look over the water, Ji-hoo says that Jan-di must have been an otter in a past life — she’s hard-working, cute, and needs water to survive. Jan-di thinks that as long as they’re inventing stories, she could be the Little Mermaid instead, but Ji-hoo vetoes this: It’s too sad to think of her as someone who suffers because of failed love.

Mustering some cheer, Jan-di offers to buy Ji-hoo dinner, so they leave the river and head to a restaurant…

… where they run into Jun-pyo and Jae-kyung. I suppose this run-in makes sense, since this is the restaurant the girls had taken Jae-kyung on their day out.

Oblivious to the tension (whether feigned or real is up for debate), Jae-kyung is happy to see Jan-di and greets them excitedly.

Meanwhile, Ga-eul attends her first day in pottery class, which is taught by a woman named Eun-jae.

I take back what I said about Ga-eul being smart. I’m not saying she’s dumb for taking up pottery because of Yi-jung, and I can understand her actions, but I’m disappointed nonetheless. It’s one thing to harbor a crush for someone you know isn’t good for you (you can’t help your feelings, right?), but another thing to actively cultivate that interest. This is a drama so we know Yi-jung is a decent guy and probably the Perfect Soulmate for Ga-eul… but she doesn’t know that. He hasn’t proven himself to be a good match, and in the absence of that kind of conviction, I’d thought she’d be smarter. Oh well. She’s young and he’s hot.

After class, Eun-jae asks about Ga-eul’s interest in pottery; she answers that someone she knows is a potter. Wanting to share an interest with a friend is a sentiment Eun-jae understands; she explains that that’s how she started, back when she was a child.

Ga-eul asks if Eun-jae’s boyfriend is a potter, and gets the reply that the person in question is a potter, but not her boyfriend. I’m sure we’ve all guessed this much, but Ga-eul starts to get an inkling that Eun-jae refers to Yi-jung when Eun-jae indicates a ceramic mug — she repeats Yi-jung’s words from an earlier episode about how these clay creations are stronger than they appear.

Yi-jung catches his father making out with a younger woman at his studio, and faces him in disgust. Yi-jung asks why his father lives like this, and gets back the response that life is boring. Yi-jung snipes, “Have you ever lived properly even for a moment?”

Dad replies, “There was only one woman who made me want to live right. If you let that woman go, they’re all the same. They’re all just meaningless repetitions.” (Way to be romantic and misogynistic at the same time, dude.)

Yi-jung feels that that’s unfair to his mother, but his father sighs, “That’s why I wish this life would pass quickly. But things don’t work out that way.”

We can see how having a father like this has shaped Yi-jung’s playboy tendencies, but Yi-jung resents hearing that he resembles his father. His father knows Yi-jung hates it (he smiles, “Isn’t that cruel?”), but it’s true.

He leaves him with these pearls of wisdom: “The real thing comes once. That’s another cruel truth.”

Awkward silence prevails at dinner. Jae-kyung notices Jan-di eyeing a notice on the wall, and it piques her interest — it’s a ladies’ challenge. Anyone who finishes a “jumbo ramen” within 20 minutes wins 50 coupons for free ramen. Jae-kyung can tell that Jan-di wants those coupons, so she offers to win them for her. In exchange, she wants a wish from each of them if she succeeds.

Ji-hoo is first to agree, and Jae-kyung dives in.

Everyone watches in a mix of disgust and amazement as Jae-kyung eats, and eats, and eats… and polishes off the gigantic bowl. (More than the stomach space, I fear for her cholesterol and sodium levels.)

She wins the coupons, hands them over to Jan-di as a gift, and claims her wishes: She wants the four of them to go on a trip together. They can stay at one of her family’s resorts. Jun-pyo resists (“I hate double dates”), but Jae-kyung points out that he’d already promised.

After his disturbing confrontation with his father, Yi-jung drowns his sorrows in some hard liquor and loses himself in a childhood memory, when he’d been crying under the table and fearing for his mother’s life. (I’m not sure if she was ill, or perhaps, in keeping with the theme, she had attempted suicide as a result of his father’s infidelity.)

A girl joins Yi-jung under the table — Eun-jae — and comforts him, saying she always knows where to find him. He puts his head in her lap and makes her promise not to leave until he falls asleep.

Feeling lost and alone, Yi-jung now looks at the empty space next to him and imagines that Eun-jae is there, asking brokenly, “Eun-jae, won’t you find me again?”

Still pretending she’s here, Yi-jung lays down as though to put his head in her lap, but in reality just lying down on the empty bench.

Jae-kyung gets her wishes, because the foursome check into her family hotel (I’m so confused — it’s unclear where this is, exactly). Up in their suite, Jae-kyung shows Jan-di a new purchase, thrilling at the couple rings she’s bought for herself and Jun-pyo.

Jan-di is taken aback to see that the rings have been engraved with a “J ♥ J” before realizing it stands for Jae-kyung and Jun-pyo.

Her reaction to the J/J engraving is explained later as she sits by the pool looking at her star-moon necklace, turning it over to reveal the same inscription. But she loses her grasp and drops the necklace into the water. Dismayed, Jan-di decides to retrieve it, and searches until she finds the necklace sitting on the bottom of the pool.

As she swims toward the end of the pool, her faulty shoulder, which has been bothering her all episode, flares up. In pain, she flails around wildly, unable to stay afloat. (AGAIN? I don’t know why a bum shoulder means she can’t use her legs to STAND UP. Excuse me while I pause to go laugh my head off.)

No, really, it’s horrible. I tried really hard to tell myself that the pool was deep, but it was still a hard scene to buy.

And then, things get even cheesier when out of nowhere, Jun-pyo comes swimming out to save Jan-di, pulling her to safety.

Worriedly, he calls out to her and jostles her awake. Jan-di’s first reaction is puzzlement, because Jun-pyo can’t swim. He answers that he learned how, since “I figured I’d rather drown than watch some other guy save you.” Because, as we know, it’s too much to hope for that she ever moves beyond the need for rescue.

Jun-pyo takes Jan-di in his arms and starts to carry her away, which is when the other two come running. Ji-hoo steps in to say he’ll take over from here and help Jan-di back to her room. Reluctantly, Jun-pyo puts Jan-di down and relinquishes her to Ji-hoo’s care, staring intently after her as she walks away. Even Jae-kyung can’t escape noticing his reaction this time. After everyone leaves, she finds Jan-di’s dropped necklace on the ground and reads the inscription curiously.

Yi-jung loiters outside a café and glares through the window at one of the baristas inside. His rage is explained by a flashback, which tells us that this is Yi-jung’s older brother.

The two had had a falling out the day his brother gave up pottery and left home. Apparently they had both studied under their father’s tutelage, but Yi-jung had always been the one with the natural talent, and he’s the one who will take over the family legacy.

Yi-jung had felt betrayed at his brother’s abandonment — he’d escaped but left Yi-jung to shoulder the burden alone. (Yi-jung had never asked to study pottery, although his father had pointed out that he hadn’t protested, either.)

(Oy, the shoutiness and the eye-bugging! Kim Bum, I love you, but you are not in East of Eden anymore.)

Meanwhile, at the undisclosed resort location, Jun-pyo broods alone in the pool, thinking of how he’d had to step back and let Ji-hoo take care of Jan-di. Jae-kyung arrives wearing an uncharacteristically serious and solemn expression, silently removes her robe to reveal a bikini underneath, and joins him in the pool. When he asks what she’s doing, she grabs Jun-pyo suddenly in a back-hug.

At the same time, Jan-di has gotten some medical attention (she’s fine, she just forgot that she shouldn’t swim anymore) and assures Ji-hoo she’s okay. She excuses herself to retrieve something she’d lost, and heads back to find the necklace.

And this is how she comes to see the other couple, embracing in the pool.

COMMENTS

(Did they get a new music director? The Second Moon guy, perhaps?)

Is anyone else feeling tired out by the drama? I don’t mean tired OF the drama, but tired out BY it. I dunno, for mindless entertainment, sometimes it really makes you work at following along.

I didn’t mind the pacing issues (much) because I knew production had to work around Gu Hye-sun’s accident and filming delays. That meant I was generally okay with the episode, except for a few of those truly odd parts that couldn’t be overlooked.

Jae-kyung. I think I have a handle on her character, but as I mentioned, it’s not clear just how much she guesses about Jan-di and Jun-pyo, and how much she’s genuinely ignorant about. I guess it’s up to us to decide for ourselves how manipulative she’s being, but that covers a pretty wide range and I’d rather know for sure if she’s being oblivious, completely manipulative, or halfway in between (I suspect the latter).

Also, what was the point of the ramen scene? I was puzzled as to why Jan-di was so freakin’ passive in this scene — she’s just going to let someone engage in an eating challenge to hand over an awesome prize? When Jae-kyung said she could tell Jan-di wanted those coupons, I wondered, then why doesn’t Jan-di actually WIN them herself? I thought perhaps she’d join the challenge, or maybe they’d both do it, but instead, she just sat back and said nothing, then accepted the prize.

Interestingly, Yi-jung’s father’s view on love is in line with Ga-eul’s philosophy on soulmates, which suggests that Ga-eul is the match for Yi-jung. On the other hand, if Yi-jung has already had a love and lost her, does that mean he’s used up his quota for this lifetime?

266

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101 Jane

March 3, 2009 at 11:09 PM

I have been reading all of your reviews and this is the first time I'm commenting you. I think it's because I feel that you COMPLETELY DESERVE this comment (not saying that this comment is like a comment from the gods or something).

So basically, I must admit that before I read your reviews, I found BBF (episodes 1~4-ish) to be the best show since coffee prince. But then I realized after reading your posts that BBF is VERY illogical (unlike Coffee Prince. I loved that show.. They'd better make a Coffee Prince #2). Anyway, I like your inputs and thoughts about what's happening. It gives me new insight to things.

But can I just add that I really don't like Jaekyung? I mean, she's a great person and all, but honestly. Did she NOT see the necklace that read "J <3 J" where the J + J CLEARLY did not stand for "jaekyung + junpyo" but instead, "jandi + junpyo"? SERIOUSLY? I know it's a drama, and so I'm hoping like crazy that this drama ends the way I want it to. Which is:
Jae-kyung realizes that she's not Junpyo's soulmate; Junpyo + Jandi = love love love love love love love love love love; witch madame kang is finally defeated; jihoo = sad, but.. understands that junpyo and jandi were meant to be; and yijung + gaeul = love.

I hope this drama ends happily like that T_T
If it doesn't, I'd shoot myself or something. T_T

ANYWAY, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!? YOUR REVIEWS MAKE ME LAUGH. I LOVE IT.

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102 CK

March 3, 2009 at 11:11 PM

Mm...there seems to be too many relationships going on with the other F4 members. I don't know how the grandpa/Ji-hoo, dad/Yi-jung, Eun-jae/Yi-jung relationships add anything meaningful to the storyline. Perhaps they shed some more light on these characters, but then why is Woo-bin's character neglected?

It all seems pretty arbitrary. If the storyline could be streamlined, the episodes wouldn't seem to drag on. All in all, it's been an enjoyable series to watch / read about, but the script really needs some more thought to it.

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103 NuttyNan

March 3, 2009 at 11:17 PM

Ok, I am halfway into it and is it just me or is the music starting to sound like music in GOONG...and I'm really starting to enjoy Jihoo more and more...maybe it's the hair?? I'm really starting to think that Jihoo and Jandi should just get together...and call it a drama!

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104 Leslee

March 3, 2009 at 11:21 PM

I like the episode, but you could totally tell it was a Monday episode. I am also feeling a bit tired of the drama. But loving it! I have decided I hate JK. I liked her at first, because she was pretty sassy and all, but geez! The girl is so unrealistically clueless!! The guy you like won't even speak to you or touch you without you literally chasing him down and you begging him to, and you are still crawling after him? Without asking him any questions or using your $100 million dollar trust fund to, oh, I don't know, get someone to get some background info? I have done that, and with less provacation.

I don't think Ga Eul is being stupid. I think she wants to find another way to connect with Kim, other than the rescuing thing (him rescuing her, them rescuing JD, etc.) It's not like she shaved her hair and joined a cult! I really hope they end up together.

The only part of this episode I hated where the scenes with Grandpa Hoo and JiHoo pining for each other. That is going to end well, so there is really no drama to it.

Oh, how I dread the wait until next week...

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105 Michelle

March 3, 2009 at 11:21 PM

during the noodle scene was after her accident. maybe thats why she did do much and just sat there

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106 amktsy

March 3, 2009 at 11:41 PM

Thanks for the recap.

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107 Monday

March 3, 2009 at 11:45 PM

My take on the ramen scene:

I think that it symbolized a lot. Especially with their similar personalities. Its just that JK has a bit more spunk. JK sees JD eyeballing the contest, but Jk's stronger personality speaks out first. You kinda notice that JD before, in previous episodes w/interactions w/JK after knowing she was JP's fiance, also cowered( I'm not sure if this is the correct choice of words) a bit in the pretense of JK. I'm running on a bit, but I think you catch my drift.

So to me, the ramen scene made sense, but I'm waiting for Jandi to step it up a notch. Sad to say, I'm sure if JK got to JP first, they would have made a great power couple.

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108 Monday

March 3, 2009 at 11:47 PM

Oh, I wish they would add more WOOBIN time!!!

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109 dkiw

March 3, 2009 at 11:50 PM

Who is the Second Moon guy you referred to for the music?

It's kinda sad when i hear a song and think "Oh my gosh! This music fits the scene!" LOL

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110 hanamichi-san

March 3, 2009 at 11:52 PM

i feel like Jan di should just stay with Ji hoo. date the guy for cryin' out loud! looking back, it seems like she spent more time with him than Jun pyo. (i'm talking about those 'regular day' moments= if you call being in distress every frickin' day regular..) also they talked more. GJP and GJD went out for like.. what?.. 3 or 4 dates? and you call that a relationship? ha. gimme a break.

*sigh. i wish monday isn't 5 days away.. :(

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111 xiaoSxin

March 4, 2009 at 12:03 AM

There are new songs in this episode.. does anybody know what those songs are? I am especially loving the song when Junpyo and Jaekyung are on their date at the cinema.

Javabeans!!! Is it too much to ask for you to include that song in your recaps so I can download it?? Thank you!

Thanks again for the recaps. There are high and lows for me on this episode but I am still enjoying it a lot!! What can I say, I am loving it (BBF)!!!!

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112 kriza09

March 4, 2009 at 12:13 AM

I love how Yi-Jung has his own story in this version of the drama....
But at the same time sometimes I felt like I was watching a totally different drama..
probably because Kim Bum's way of acting (with his father and his Ja-eun imagination) doesn't go along with the nature of the drama...
i think his acting is too deep(?) for BOF kind of drama..
I mean, BOF is a teen love fun drama, and his acting was more of a tragic family drama.. too serious, i guess? like if you watch only that specific scene where he was talking to his brother who said he's quitting pottery (in the flashback), you would've thought that his brother is someone for whom he has sacrificed everything in his life, even being disowned by his own mother, made money with blood and sweat so that his brother can study... LOL

I agree with you, it definitely reminded me of East of Eden (in which he's so awesome, btw)

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113 edith

March 4, 2009 at 12:17 AM

thanks for the recap! I've seen the japanese and the taiwanese version and the fiancee doesn't stay that long..usually 2 episodes only but this one its what since episode 14? until when is she staying in the story? there's only what 6 episodes left and there are more issues that they have to deal with to finish the story.
and the sister.......she tells madam kang to leave junpyo alone but where is she? doesn't she live in the house with junpyo...why can't she talk to him and tell him to face his issues with jandi?
hope to see jandi and junpyo together again even though i love jihoo..hope to see it soon!!!!!

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114 ala

March 4, 2009 at 12:24 AM

stupid stupid drama. can't believe people actually like this poorly produced and executed drama... bleh.

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115 snoopyvkd

March 4, 2009 at 12:29 AM

This episode feels fresh with the new music. I'm so glad there's no more random blast of "Almost paradise".

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116 anna

March 4, 2009 at 12:29 AM

Yes, I am.
It's too much drama! They just keep dragging this on forever. I wonder how they're going to wrap all this up in the next 7 episodes! My, my, how the times have flied. Hopefully by next week, the JK issue will be solved and our couple will finally be reunited.

Teenagers sure have a lot of problems.

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117 Jo Loves BBF.

March 4, 2009 at 12:37 AM

ugh, i can't stand that junpyo and jandi can't be together. and even though jaekyung is irritating, i gotta give her credit for BEING good at being irritating.

just hope to see the series finish off with a happy ending, which is a most likely or else it wouldn't be a proper korean drama.

thanks for the recap, javabeans! can't wait for the next eps.!

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118 MrBloo

March 4, 2009 at 12:47 AM

Off topic........... woooohooooooo Eric and HyeSun on the banner.

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119 kdia

March 4, 2009 at 1:05 AM

ala, what are you doing here then?

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120 feelinsweetsixteenmom

March 4, 2009 at 1:07 AM

well as ussual, i have my cup-of-coffee of Javabeans episode recap on this our favorite kdrama: and thank you as always.

For me, this episode 17 predicts me about Jihoo acting soo overprotective for Jandi ( part of is true to his feelings for her ...but ), showing infront of GJP how he cares for her...i think that he's doing it again just like what he did in the past episode during the car race part...pushing the jealousy out of GJP...so he will stand up for his own decission to stop being manipulated by his mother ( to the extent of using the memory of his father of which he loves so dear ) and of which he knows himself well how evil and ambitious she is. And then follow his heart instead.

But since this is another remake, we can only rely on how the director CAN do..., on his version of interpretation on the original story.

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121 Liv

March 4, 2009 at 1:15 AM

Can we please throw Woo-bin a bone here? We've got Ji-hoo's tragedy, Yi-jung's complexes, Jun-pyo's power struggle and Woo-bin's.... "Yo Yo Man!". Everyone else has a plotline now but for him - so can we please give him something to do??

Also, the logic that Yi-jung and Ga-eul must be separated due to his soulmate/Eun-jae doesn't follow if you consider that Ji-hoo got over his first love/soulmate Seo-hyun due to Jan-di. So really, if Yi-jung and Ga-eul don't get together, its not because of the whole "soulmate" theory - it's really cause he just doesn't like her that much.

And finally, I'll admit it. The cockles of my shallow, very drunken heart were warmed by the scene of Jun-pyo learning to swim. I shall now go and demand my bf take up pottery and swimming (actually he knows how to swim but whatever) to prove his eternal love for me.

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122 ...

March 4, 2009 at 1:20 AM

yay! recap! thnx! personally, i think that Jaekyung can see what is happening, she's not stupid and dont girls usually have a weird intuition/feeling thing when it comes to stuff like this? shes probably just ignoring it and telling herself that its not happening to protect herself cuz she obviously likes Junpyo a lot.

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123 myweeklyfix

March 4, 2009 at 1:22 AM

Thanks for the recap of my weekly fix!

This episode was quite good in parts, but certain bits were rather awkward and weighed it down. i totally did not get the cooking/mixing salad scene, isn't junpyo supposed to be hating this double date and jealous of jihoo's contact with jandi? It was a pretty scene but totally strange in the context. And I was looking forward to the junpyo saving jandi scene, but i was disappointed by it! It was rather cheesy and rushed and lacked real emotions, apart from that one line from junpyo. I thought jandi was fine, considering that she just got dumped and is struggling with that plus her family situation and not to mention us knowing her real life injury. A pity, as i would have loved to see her eat her way through the bowl of noodles :) LMH is always good, and for some reason I especially liked seeing him on his date with Monkey, thought he brought out his uneasiness well. And I love his jealous looks haha, but yes let's not have any more crying scenes from him unless it's to beg Jandi to take him back haha!

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124 butterfly

March 4, 2009 at 1:35 AM

I think most people misunderstood Jandi’s tough character. I think the Korean version is trying to portray her as
1. filial (working for the parents although they are not really sickly)
2. respectful (flashback to the dialogues with Jun Pyo’s Mum)
3. kind-hearted (volunteering at the clinic despite her exhaustion)
4. one who set priority for friends over any other things (saving GE from YJ, saving MJ from licking JP’s shoe, kicking GE’s ex’s ass, etc).

Jandi’s kicks are not displayed for the sake of displaying but mainly due to injustice and friends. I can’t imagine if Jandi actually stand up for herself and “kick” (not literally but you get my meaning) JK’s ass for stepping on her tails so many times.

I mean JK is nice to her, treating her as her best friend (JD being the first one that she tell about she and JP dating) and even go to the extent of winning ramen coupons for her knowing the state of her family. (I know many dislike this scene. Me too as I personally prefer Jandi eating that!) How can Jandi who views friends as one of the most important things do that? It will be character inconsistency then.

But i also think that it is time for JP to take some actions if not the story is going to get real draggy!

Agree with #9 musicgoer – “JD and JP needs to be reunited soon. They are the energy source of the entire show. And since they have been apart for so long (except for ep 14’s funny spy date moments), i’m feeling the grind of it.”

Totally agree with #123 myweeklyfix.

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125 Suzy

March 4, 2009 at 1:41 AM

"....i feel like all she ever says now is SUNBAE and NEH? god, stop with the godawfulness." I feel ya Jessi!

Yeah, I'm tired by this drama now and a little tired OF it. IT HAS LOST ALL MOMENTUM. Used to make me giddy. Now, I'm just meh. If they canceled the show right now I wouldn't be all that disappointed. I would just wait anxiously to see what Lee Min Ho's next project would be.

Remind me, why did Jandi and Jun Pyo like each other? I'm starting to forget.

K-drama pet peeve: When a girl is sad, she has to mope along walking extremely slow with her head down like a pouting child begging for attention.

Also, if with one glance the fiance is able to tell Jandi wants the free ramyun, why is she utterly oblivious to everything else.

The Jandi drowning scene... Argh! and why was she looking around when her head was above water? Did she think the necklace could float? I think the director thinks he can fix anything with editing.

Why do I even expect this show to make sense? You're right... it's very tiring. My nose should be bleeding now. Disappointing.

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126 Ginny

March 4, 2009 at 1:49 AM

Why am I not surprised that there was barely any Woobin in this episode? I have never seen such blatant disregard by a scriptwriter for the character among all the three adaptations.

The love square angle has been stretched to its limits that I could barely even care about the characters involved.

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127 Hannieoon

March 4, 2009 at 1:52 AM

I usually download BOF and watch it on GOM player. I have become fast friends with the right arrow key (aka 10 second fast forward!!). Haha.

Although I'm a fan of Yi Jung and Ga Eul, I think their story line dominates JD and JP storyline so it gets a bit boring. But a lot of the scenes could have been to fill up the time because of GHS's accident.

There are a lot of scenes/things that bugged me.

Tried to like Jae Kyung but her character is getting annoying (too careless)
Jan di please stop being so depressed (but in Hana Yori Manga, she gets kinda damsel in distress so if you want to complain, blame the creator! lol)
Yi Jung... what happened to the cutesy smiles?
The swimming scene.... Umm maybe they shoot in deeper water cuz it was just unrealistic and unbelievable.
The salad scene.... (conclusion:: rich guys can't cook)
The parents leaving the kids behind? Umm... okkkk
JI-hoo and grandpa story line is useless

I don't think JDi would be the one to stand up to JK and JP. Especially with the circumstances she's in. JP really clams up about his emotions of JD so how would she know? And JP's scary witch-mother has the power to totally ruin Jandi's and her family's life. And as reckless as JK is, she is the daughter of a rich family and considered a more "suitable" match to the family. And the kiss? Yea.... Of course I'm talking about JD's point of view.

But it it were me, I would have been like... He's mine, Bitch. LoL

On the bright side::

I like how Ji-hoo is such a good friend. Why isn't there a guy like him? Hmm... I forgot that this is reality. LoL. Anyways... I have a feeling that Ji-hoo tries to keep pushing JP to be more truthful about his feelings to JD. Like in the pool scene, when Ji-hoo says he'll take over for now. It seemed like Ji-Hoo was "will"-ing that JP would say that he would take care of JD.

I don't know why we're dissecting this drama so meticulously. After all, it is just a drama. If I did this with all my classes, I would be freaking valedictorian. Hehe

BUT I LOVE MEANINGLESS DRAMAS cuz it's better than my love life. LoL

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128 Suzy

March 4, 2009 at 2:00 AM

#115 "..I’m so glad there’s no more random blast of 'Almost paradise'." LMAO!

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129 xiaoSxin

March 4, 2009 at 2:05 AM

i also wish that they finish the Jaekyung -fiance plot line by next episode. So far this is the longest that they had dragged one plot for this series, no to mention on the other versions as well. Junpyo has already been hurting a lot since episode 14, we already established how he really loved Jandi. We need to get on to the next plot, with Jandi now standing up and proving her love to Junpyo!!!!!! That part I AM SO WAITING FOR IT.

In the hanadan, I really felt Makino's love for Domyoji when he lost his memory. I hope for the remaining episodes, the PD and writer would now emphasize Jandi's love for Junpyo. We already saw A LOT of scenes with Junpyo showing his love for Jandi. Let us just say I think it is JANDI'S turn now.

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130 xiaoSxin

March 4, 2009 at 2:11 AM

#127
I don’t know why we’re dissecting this drama so meticulously. After all, it is just a drama. If I did this with all my classes, I would be freaking valedictorian. Hehe

>>I don't know either, but it sure is interesting because it adds more meaning to the scenes especially the ones that are confusing.

But this drama sure is better than real life!!!! A great form of escape from the harsh reality (paper due tomorrow, test on thur, work on fri and sat)

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131 atiras

March 4, 2009 at 2:25 AM

I am also getting tired BY the drama.....
I agree, for me it is mindless entertainment, but now I need too much effort to put up with so much crying, stupid sadness and dead-fish eyes....
I love cheesy situations, but this drama cross all my lines several times: how many times are they going to drown, lose jewels and play Aaalmost paaaradise!!??
please director, give us a break!

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132 yoYOmahbro

March 4, 2009 at 2:39 AM

excuse my language, javabeans. and the length.

but when JaeKyung announced that she had 99 wishes all i could picture was Jay-Z popping onto the scene, rapping:
"She's got 99 wishes, but the b*tch ain't The One."

as much as JaeKyung's character comes off grating at times, she is quite a formidable opponent to JanDi. i actually thought Madam Kang's wishing that JK remain her bright spunky self was sincere--such *yupki* qualities seem to be what her son is attracted to, thus blurring any stark difference between JaeKyung and JanDi. (because honestly, if JK was a staid, stale character with only tubs of money going for her, no audience would buy such a romance nor feel anxiety about JD & JP.) and to be honest, if JunPyo met JaeKyung before JanDi, he'd be attracted to her. And with all the qualities that cover all the socio-economic bases..why the heck not? But then there would be no joy on Mon-Tue for me.

Madam Kang isn't a monster. i really have high respects for her character. despite jun-hee's (valid) retorts, i think she does want the best for her children and isn't only on a one-path rampage towards world domination. striking a balance between family and business all the while shouldering the burden of maintaining a careful public image and the trajectory of an entire nation's economy--you can't expect her to be calling her children every night asking mundane questions about whether they ate dinner, studied enough, or met anyone special. i *heart* Madam Kang!

Also, is it me or are JunPyo's curls not as curltastic these days? It looks too tame. But then again, JaeKyung did say she was in the process of taming a lion so maybe that includes tempering the mane.

I also missed our Gangsta F4 member in today's episode. They are short-changing the man! More MORE MOOORE mah bro!

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133 jb

March 4, 2009 at 2:47 AM

Hey Dramabeans, R u alright? I read your thots about Cain and Abel and then reading the synopsis of this episode, especially this line...
"Is anyone else feeling tired out by the drama? I don’t mean tired OF the drama, but tired out BY it. I dunno, for mindless entertainment, sometimes it really makes you work at following along."
You sound like you are burning out from following all the drama episodes and pounding the keys to come up with summaries so quickly...take a break ok. Get out, watch some Taiwanese/Japanese dramas or something. Take care!
P.S. Check out this Taiwanese drama, currently playing, very entertaining...http://www.viikii.net/channels/goto/myqueen, it has Eng subtitles ;)

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134 whatever0024

March 4, 2009 at 3:07 AM

One of my biggest rants about this version is the lack of Woo Bin.

I never liked Akira in the Taiwanese and Japanese versions because they weren't memorable, but I really like him here. It's rather unfortunate that Woo BIn is hardly getting any lines or any screen time. He's probably only had maybe 10 lines in 17 episodes!!! I wonder if they'll have a little storyline concerning him and his mother and twin sisters. There's only a few episodes left. There has to be something for him!

The fiancee's annoying and utterly clueless. Jan Di's weak. What happened to the spunky and fiesty Jan Di from the first few episodes?! Just so many inconsistencies in character developments.

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135 ice chocolate

March 4, 2009 at 3:13 AM

Perhaps Jan Di can't stay floating because she is too exhausted physically and mentally, so eventhough she swims hard, she's still have to be saved. I wish the director make it more logic then..

I guess it's true that love make you weak, until it unite together.. Just see Jun Pyo and Jan Di. :)

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136 JAM

March 4, 2009 at 3:15 AM

Hi Dramabeans,

Dunno why but I kept noticing this ring like thing on Lee Min-ho's right index finger. You can actually see it in your first photo of him feeding Jihoon. I noticed it at the Talkshow and it kind of registered at the back of my mind and came back today while watching the ep. silly question huh? :) any clues? anyone?

Another question - maybe I should take up Korean culture 101 or something - at the Talkshow, again, noticed that they don't exactly address each other by full name like Min-ho etc. Its Min-something, Bum-something and both somethings seem to be different to me. help....? :)

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137 bspanda

March 4, 2009 at 3:23 AM

Thanks again for the recap - funnily enough I just finished d/l ep when i saw your post! So had 'javabeans' as a subtitle LOL love it!

But one MAJOR highlight of this episode was..... Lee Min-ho....in pool SCENES !!!!(enough said)! (yes I am shallow...pun intended). (made the things I hated/disses bearable)

Ok here is my few cents worth...
RAVES....
1) Really LIKED (can't say love as I might jinks it) the 'new' OST. Must be the fact that Almost Paradise was AWOL (about time!...please Music PD make that happen permanently). The music was (more) subtle and appropriate. But it couldn't get worse could it?

2) Loved how Ji-Hoo and Yi-Jung stories were featured more - esp the Yi-Jung back story. Very nice to have more Kim Bum. Anytime.

3) For the first time in this series, I was actually thought Kim Hyun Joong did a decent job. (Also loved the full accoustic ver of the SS501 song). Not too eye buggy to be annoying.

4) Honestly the JiHoo-GuJun Pyo Kitchen/feeding scene made me have LMAO. My reaction - 'did they get disinherited and can't afford chefs? Did they lose their tastebuds/eyesight as well (that spam looking thing! yuk). Gee are they going for a sequel after BBF...Boys Before Girls?' I was loving the possibilites. Would be worth catching hahaha

5) The pace was actually quite a nice change - not the usual frantic buzz. Maybe the PDs should not that less can be a more? (much like the music) (except for the following scene....)

DISSES
1) Was Ji-Hoo hungry when he kissed Jan-Di's finger/hand? At one stage I was thinking is he having it for dinner? Is Jan-Di going to wake up with a cramp in her hand? About half that screentime would have shifted it from awkward to moving.

2) WTF with the monster ramen? And why the hell were the GUYS not volunteering? (but then again they have to keep slim for pool scenes perhaps? LOL) Aren't they millionaire's kids? Ever thought of buying some coupons? Very weird scene.

3) When Jan-Di got her Shinwha swimming scholarship did the chlorine affect her brain? Or her legs? Or was it 'half swimming scholarship - for those who swim only via the use of arms?' C'mon PD's at least say she had a leg cramp as well as a busted arm.....sheesh

4) Hello it is F-4! I missed WooBin (and this is from a Lee Min-ho/Kim Bum crazy).

(sorry to bore your blog with my longwinded comments Javabeans! Look forward to next week!)

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138 sub

March 4, 2009 at 3:56 AM

wow. i know everyone's entitled to their own opinion so called.
but it still irks me a little..i mean a lot to see the amount of hate towards paradise which funnily i could bet with almost anything n everything that there won't be even a quarter as much bash/hate on Paradise if in the first place, miss reviewer never mention anything not so positive bout it. (which i don't really bother cuz you're the reviewer and i respect your views on whatever you write about)
but the degree of how readers are fantabulously agreeing on everything n ....
is a lil scary..
o well.....
and i find it ridiculous that the PDs are willing to go the extra mile even to craptacular plot just to please the request of audience... (esp on Yijung-Gaeul scenes)
when i think it'd be cool if the PDs could just use their own ideas etc. n have some decent plot. i don't think ratings would drop for that.
hmm...
anyway......thanks for the review.

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139 lily

March 4, 2009 at 3:57 AM

@ 125 “….i feel like all she ever says now is SUNBAE and NEH? god, stop with the godawfulness.” I feel ya Jessi!

Yeah, I’m tired by this drama now and a little tired OF it. IT HAS LOST ALL MOMENTUM. Used to make me giddy. Now, I’m just meh. If they canceled the show right now I wouldn’t be all that disappointed. I would just wait anxiously to see what Lee Min Ho’s next project would be. "

Sad very sad. I have had some doubts people (and fangirls too) somewhat force themself to watch this mediocre "so called best" drama.
But frankly it's a PITY! I mean you like this supposed best drama of the decade only because of only Lee Min Ho. What a PITY!

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140 lily

March 4, 2009 at 3:59 AM

And frankly Jun Pyo crying is getting laughable and I agree with someone who said Yi Jung angst was akward.

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141 bjharm

March 4, 2009 at 3:59 AM

Why not just watch the show and not try to cut it into little bits to see if it all fits together perfectly. It is a tv show and not exactly a work of high drama either, despite all the up roar about it.
Do not take it so seriously and just enjoy it. I find many of the complaints simply those trying to find something to complain about. How many Korean dramas have everything in it place and making any kind a sense all the time?

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142 lily

March 4, 2009 at 4:08 AM

And please Jun Pyo can swim? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHA!! it's as unrealistical as episode 6.

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143 lily

March 4, 2009 at 4:24 AM

"114 ala - Mar 4, 2009 at 12:24 am
stupid stupid drama. can’t believe people actually like this poorly produced and executed drama… bleh."
LMAO I still wonder if they didn't say this drama is a kversion of the famous with two success live actions versions yoko kamio's HYD, would people bother themself to watch it ? and say (after all this akwardness) this drama is somewhat good ?
I mean I wonder if it's an HYD story. I feel it's another korean drama which has absolutely NOTHING to do with HYD. At first episodes I felt there are too much out of characters especially the lead Jun Pyo and Jan di. it not only ruined almost all the important scenes of HYD (especially romance ones like the locked scene) but the result is there are too much nonsense, blandness, fakeness now. The acting remains mediocre.

And where is Sakurako/Min Ji ?

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144 mcjayjay

March 4, 2009 at 4:40 AM

damnit, yijung better realise that gaeul is the best thing that could ever happen to him.
as for jae kyung, i hate her. Im not sure if she'll turn out to be like the fiance from the japanese version, and i loved her, or she'll turn into an evil witch. so to stay on the safe side, im hating her.

as for ji hoo, im REALLY starting to like him, this is a big deal since ive never liked him throughout the drama, but right now, he is REALLY sweet, and him following jandi around is just too adorable. If junpyo doesn't end up with jandi, i just hope the writers have enough sense to make jandi end up with ji hoo. or atleast, his feelings for her would pass and they become like best buddies or something.

thanks for the recap!

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145 lily

March 4, 2009 at 4:42 AM

" 112 kriza09 - Mar 4, 2009 at 12:13 am
I love how Yi-Jung has his own story in this version of the drama….
But at the same time sometimes I felt like I was watching a totally different drama..
probably because Kim Bum’s way of acting (with his father and his Ja-eun imagination) doesn’t go along with the nature of the drama…

You notice that now? For me Kim Bum Has never really been a sexy playboy who play with women (plus when he tried to act like that he failed miserably). People only like him because he is cute (notice all the posts about him). So when he says "I dated a lot of women" it's unbelievable to me and his "first soulmate thing" who made him a "playboy" storyline doesn't work here since I only see him stuck with Ga Eul I see no "playboy" vibe in Yi Jung portrayal.

It leads me here : what is striking me with this korean F4 it's you can't see the important characteristics which distinguish these four boys. Before I said that when people were all about Jun Pyo/Lee Min Ho vs Ji Hoo/Kim Hyun Joong battle and Kim Hyun Joog was trashed.

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146 ferl

March 4, 2009 at 4:49 AM

regarding the ramen scene, well found this...so, i think this may answer why it was awkward

http://asianfanatics.net/forum/Goo-Hye-Suns-scene-after-discharge-from-hospital-talk632717.html

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147 cheonsa

March 4, 2009 at 5:00 AM

Javabeans - thanks for your insightful recap! I can't believe I'm saying this but I am really starting to get tired of and tired out by this show. There is really only so much frustrated wimpy teary angst I can bear.

Like many, I really miss scenes with just Jan Di and Jun Pyo together. I was just as hopeful as Jan Di when she rushed to the playground after her bro told her someone's waiting for her there - hoping against hope that it is Jun Pyo and wishing that back hug was him again - asking her to tell him that she likes him. There could have been such a moment during the pool rescue scene but it was so rushed and so cheesy that instead of making my heart ache for them, it made the hairs on my skin stand. That was really disappointing. Expectations are so high for this show that I do feel sorry for the production team and the unenviable position they are in. I do hope given the extra time this week, they would be able to improve on future episodes.

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148 lily

March 4, 2009 at 5:16 AM

@ 46
"edit, wow, just by typing this the comment went up to 40 something… nice
well thank you for this… i think the decision to put season 1 and 2 (of the japanese storyline) into 24 episodes of one season start to take it’s toll, it become repetitious and kinda slow… i didn’t say it was bad, but if they keep it like this, i’m afraid it will get boring…
i’m hoping not…"

AH ? I though this drama was "original" ! can you explain me how is this drama original when they put season 1 and 2 of Jdrama HYD in 24 episode. Especially when this drama follows the best THE MANGA (and all I see is out of character)?

Not only BOF is confusing but the fans are too....

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149 Imee

March 4, 2009 at 5:17 AM

I am really starting to like Ji Hoo for Jan Di.He is the real deal and an ideal boyfriend in a perfect world. What more can Jan Di asked? He is rich,handsome,kindhearted and especially no wicked mother in law to deal with!I read that it was actually Lee Min Ho who took Goo Hye Sun to the hospital after that horrible accident.The account says that his van was passing by right after the accident and stopped after recognizing it was Hye Sun's van. GHS was thankful that LMH was there and credits him for getting immediate medical attention.The article was titled " TV drama Came to Life". LMH and his people they said tried to keep this incident quiet.Also Kim Hyun Joong went to vist GHS in the hospital right rafter the Baeksang Awards Show.He seems to be so sweet like his Ji Hoo character.Saw a real nice fan MV that depicts the relationship between Jan Di,Jun Pyo and Ji Hoo called "Torn between Two Lovers."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9hD0PdJa30

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150 lily

March 4, 2009 at 5:23 AM

"@ 53
I don’t know how he does it, but he is able to reveal his emotion with just a single look."
LMAO
-When I said LMH is one of the most overrated korean actor of the decade.
-If you don't know, watch other korean dramas and you will know how he does and if you could see this emotion maybe it's because it wasn't as controlled.

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